Anchor

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  • 30 Jun

    Put on Gentleness

    A compilation

    Audio length: 13:50
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    Therefore, as the chosen of God, holy and dearly loved, put on affection, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience.—Colossians 3:12

    While I was walking along in an open field at sunrise, I noticed something in the distance, gently floating down from the sky. I went to pick it up. It was a tiny, downy bird feather. I looked all around. There wasn’t a bird in sight. Now I’m not trying to be spooky or hyper-spiritual, because I know it was a regular bird feather, probably from the underbelly of a dove, but the gentle way it fell from the sky really spoke to my spirit.

    Gentleness. Do you know that’s one of the fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5? It’s right there, smack-dab in between “goodness” and “faithfulness.” To be honest, it’s one of the fruits of the Spirit I rarely think about. I was in a church service where the preacher was rattling off the fruits of the Spirit in his sermon, and he left “gentleness” out. I didn’t even realize it, and I don’t think anyone else did either, until someone on the front row said, “You left off gentleness.” It was a telling moment for me that I didn’t even realize it was overlooked.

    Even if we need to confront someone who has done us wrong, Christians should be known for their gentle demeanor. If the Holy Spirit (the heavenly dove) is in us, He will show us how to be gentle. Do you remember what Jesus told His disciples when He sent them out to minister? “Be wise as serpents, harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).—Greg A. Lane1

    A perfect picture

    Galatians 5:22–23 says that the Holy Spirit works in us to be more like Christ (Ephesians 4:14–16), and part of the fruit, or results, of that work is gentleness. Gentleness, also translated “meekness,” does not mean weakness. Rather, it involves humility and thankfulness toward God, and polite, restrained behavior toward others. The opposites of gentleness are anger, a desire for revenge, and self-aggrandizement. …

    When we are filled with the Spirit’s fruit of gentleness, we will correct others with easiness instead of arguing in resentment and anger, knowing that their salvation is far more important than our pride (2 Timothy 2:24–25). We will forgive readily, because any offense toward us is nothing compared to our offenses against God—offenses He’s already forgiven (Matthew 18:23–35). …

    Jesus gave us the perfect picture of gentleness: “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey” (Matthew 21:5), and now He offers us His gentleness as a gift. If we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, we will be filled with the fruit of gentleness.—GotQuestions.org2

    What it means to me

    Gentleness is prautes in the original Greek text. It’s been translated both as “meekness” and “gentleness.” Here I’ve compiled briefly what the concept means to me.

    Submission to God: Jesus is the perfect example of being entirely devoted to doing God’s will, whatever the cost. Even when faced with His impending arrest and execution, He told His Father, “I want your will to be done, not mine” (Matthew 26:39).

    Meekness means thinking less of what I want and more of what God wants.

    Readiness to learn: If the Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) could say, “I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn’t learn something from him,” then how much more is that true for me!

    Meekness means never thinking I know enough or that I’m too good or exalted to learn from others.

    Consideration: When Moses’ own brother and sister attacked his position as leader of the Israelites, he remained gentle toward them and let God deal with the situation. Even after God had vindicated him, his only concern was for Miriam to be forgiven and healed.3

    Gentleness is never self-important, and it is always kind and courteous.

    Not hateful or wimpy: Gentleness is never hateful, but neither is it wimpy. It’s getting indignant at the right time, in the right measure, and for the right reasons.

    “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).—Ronan Keane

    Where does gentleness come from?

    Gentleness comes “from above” (James 3:17), from “the Father of lights,” the unchangeable source of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). Gentleness is a divine gift to unworthy sinners. And, as is the case regarding all we have in Christ—our identity, our gifts, our virtues—gentleness is a gift that is “received, not achieved.”

    Jesus Christ is the supreme embodiment of the gentleness that comes from above because he is divine Wisdom incarnate (Psalm 45:4; Matthew 11:29). During his earthly ministry, Jesus displayed supreme gentleness in that, “when he was reviled, he did not revile in return” (1 Peter 2:23), but instead suffered the consequences of our sinful anger “in his body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). …

    Having sown his body in the ground through humility and gentleness, Jesus reaped a harvest of righteousness for us in his resurrection, ascension, and enthronement at the Father’s right hand (John 12:24; James 3:18), the fruits of which he has poured out upon us in the person of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23; Philippians 1:9–11). Accordingly, the meekness that comes from above comes not only in Jesus Christ but also through Jesus Christ, who anoints and endows us with “a spirit of gentleness” (1 Corinthians 4:21; Galatians 6:1)

    Though gentleness is a gift, something that is “received, not achieved,” gentleness can nevertheless be cultivated.

    Here two errors must be avoided. On the one hand, we must not think that gentleness can be achieved by pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps… Gentleness is a “fruit of the Spirit,” not a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:22–23). On the other hand, we must not think that gentleness can be achieved through passivity. …

    Gentleness, like all graces which are ours through union with Jesus Christ, is a gift that is to be actively received and appropriated through faith, hope, and love.

    Gentleness is cultivated through union and communion with Jesus Christ, [which is] well illustrated through the biblical metaphor of being clothed with Christ in baptism. … [This] is also something we are called to actively appropriate—something we are called to “put on.” …

    If the vice of anger is among the severest spiritual afflictions of our age, then the virtue of gentleness is among the most needful spiritual medicines. While there exist many helpful protocols regarding how we might manage our participation in the “outrage machine” of contemporary (especially social media) culture, the deep cure for our ills will not come merely through adopting such protocols for self-control, but through cultivating the virtue of gentleness. …

    Though we fall short in many ways when it comes to the virtue of gentleness, it is important to remember that Jesus Christ is an inexhaustible fountain of gentleness, and that he gently invites us to draw freely upon his inexhaustible fullness. ... When it comes to the virtue of gentleness, he is the vine, and we are the branches (John 15:1–5). The strength of our virtue, and of our growth in virtue, lies not in ourselves, but in him in whose presence we find “quietness and trust forever” (Isaiah 32:17).—Scott Swain4

    Reflections on gentleness

    In our rough and rugged individualism, we think of gentleness as weakness, being soft and virtually spineless. Not so! Gentleness includes such enviable qualities as having strength under control, being calm and peaceful when surrounded by a heated atmosphere, emitting a soothing effect on those who may be angry or otherwise beside themselves, and possessing tact and gracious courtesy that causes others to retain their self-esteem and dignity.―Charles R. Swindoll

    *

    A Christian reveals true humility by showing the gentleness of Christ, by being always ready to help others, by speaking kind words and performing unselfish acts, which elevate and ennoble the most sacred message that has come to our world.―Ellen G. White

    *

    Gentleness is the ability to bear reproaches and slights with moderation, and not to embark on revenge quickly, and not to be easily provoked to anger, but to be free from bitterness and contentiousness, having tranquility and stability in the spirit.―Aristotle

    *

    Gentleness is not apathy but is an aggressive expression of how we view people. We see people as so valuable that we deal with them in gentleness, fearing the slightest damage to one for whom Christ died. To be apathetic is to turn people over to mean and destructive elements, to truly love people causes us to be aggressively gentle.―Gayle D. Erwin

    *

    If zeal had been appropriate for putting humanity right, why did God the Word clothe himself in the body, using gentleness and humility in order to bring the world back to his Father?―Isaac of Nineveh

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    Gentleness is not weakness. Just the opposite. Preserving a gentle spirit in a heartless world takes extraordinary courage, determination, and resilience. Do not underestimate the power of gentleness, because gentleness is strength wrapped in peace, and therein lies the power to change the world.―L. R. Knost

    *

    I choose gentleness … Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.—Max Lucado

    Published on Anchor June 2026. Read by Jon Marc. Music by Michael Dooley.

    1 Greg A. Lane, My Morning Walks with God (Inspired Design & Graphics, 2016).

    2 “The Fruit of the Holy Spirit—What is gentleness?” GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/fruit-Holy-Spirit-gentleness.html

    4 Scott Swain, “Cultivating Gentleness in an Age of Outrage,” Desiring God, December 12, 2019,  https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/masters-of-self

  • Jun 26 Faith in Later Life
  • Jun 25 The God of the Bible Is Love
  • Jun 24 In Defense of the Poor
  • Jun 22 The Parable of the Unjust Steward
  • Jun 19 How to Navigate Challenges in Your Faith Journey
  • Jun 16 When God Doesn’t Grant the Desires of Our Hearts
  • Jun 15 Growing in His Radiance
  • Jun 11 Who Pulls the Strings?
  • Jun 10 Embracing Change in Nature and Life
   

Directors’ Corner

Faith-building Bible studies and articles

  • 9 Jun

    The Life of Discipleship, Part 12: Everyday Discipleship

    Audio length: 22.45

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    Discipleship is a lifelong journey that requires perseverance, determination, conviction, the love of God, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. The late Reverend Billy Graham once said, “The Christian’s journey through life isn’t a sprint but a marathon. … Discipleship is the commitment of a lifetime, day by day.” The process of growing in our discipleship and being transformed into Christ’s image is a lifelong task. As one person expressed it:

    We are created as rough drafts that must go through the editing process. God works to transform us step by step into a finished article that will make worthwhile reading. Our substance is reshaped repeatedly by the choices and decisions we make, the superficial and superfluous bits are purged through life’s trials, and we are fine-tuned and polished … in the hands of the Great Editor.—Scott Montrose1

    Our discipleship is meant to encompass every aspect of our lives, including our relationship with God and our daily walk with Him, and our love for others, which includes every person we encounter in our day. Our discipleship includes being an ambassador for Christ, sharing the good news with the people He places in our path, as well as being a living reflection of the love of Christ in every sphere of our lives and striving to grow in His likeness.

    We live our discipleship in our homes, the workplace, in schools, and in the community. We incorporate discipleship principles into our parenting, our relationships, and the investment of our time, skills, and resources. We strive to be a living example of our faith to our families, friends, and neighbors, and the people we interact with throughout our day and in our online communications.

    The call to be a disciple of Jesus is a call to a whole way of life. It’s a call to rearrange our priorities so that God has first place in our lives. This doesn’t mean that we won’t have other priorities in life, but our allegiance is to God first—above our own desires and will, our loved ones, our possessions, and even our own lives. Christian discipleship is not easy to live out—in fact, Jesus said “the way is hard,” but it is the path “that leads to life” (Matthew 7:13–14). It requires commitment, dedication, and placing God at the center of our lives, our decisions, and our relationships.

    In the Gospels, Jesus challenged His followers to lay down their lives for His sake and to follow Him. In Matthew’s Gospel, He said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24–25).

    Denying ourselves can be understood to mean setting aside our personal desires, ambitions, and goals, and choosing to seek God for His direction in our lives and pursue His will over our own. This doesn’t mean that the Lord will never lead us to work toward our personal ambitions and goals. If we are seeking God’s will and our desire is to please Him, it’s very likely that His will and our desires will be in alignment (Psalm 37:4). However, if God’s direction doesn’t align with the direction we were leaning toward, as His disciples, we will be willing to “deny ourselves” in order to follow Him.

    Jesus gave us the key to being able to live our commitment to discipleship, starting with our spiritual rebirth through salvation. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20).

    The ability and grace to live the discipleship life come not only from our desire to obey God’s commandments and our efforts to live in a godly way, but from the power of God through “Christ in us” (Colossians 1:27) and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15–17). “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

    Christ in Us

    Every new morning we can anticipate that the Lord Jesus Christ will express Himself through us that day and accomplish some aspect of His work, whether we can identify what He has done or not. This is our privilege, and this is our responsibility.

    For Christ to be in us gives us power. We can live effectively in no other strength than that which derives from the life of Jesus Christ, for He said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). And for us to be in Christ gives us purpose. It is not a power that enables us to live for ourselves, but it equips us to fulfill the plans of Christ...

    For Christ to be in us gives us resources. Everything we possibly need is ours in the Lord Jesus Christ. And for us to be in Christ gives us responsibilities. As part of His body, the most important issue I have to face is, “What [does He] want me to do?”

    For Christ to be in us is dynamic. And for us to be in Christ is demanding. If He has something to do, He has the right to use us as the means of doing it. If there is an “Ethiopian eunuch” on the desert road, He has the right to tell you to leave your Samaria and go to meet him (Acts 8:26–40). But for every demand He makes, He provides the dynamic of His Spirit within to accomplish it.

    This is the Christian life. Having faced our failure to express His likeness and image in the world, we come to the Cross for forgiveness, are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and become incorporated into Christ, to become vehicles for the expression of His life and purpose. The world desperately needs to know this but will have no grounds on which to believe it until they see the life and character of Jesus Christ lived out in your life and mine. This is God's purpose for you!—Charles Price2

    Joining His Kingdom Mission

    God has invited you to join him in changing the world. God has a dream for this world that Jesus called the kingdom of God. God created you to play an important role in his kingdom vision. You will never find your deepest purpose in life until you find your place in building God’s kingdom.

    You don’t have to be brilliant to change the world—or wealthy or influential or a spiritual giant. But you do have to say yes to the invitation. You do have to be available and willing to be used, and you may have to pay the price that comes with following Jesus, because changing the world and following Jesus isn’t easy, and it doesn’t come cheap. There will be some sacrifice involved—there always is.

    Our Christian faith is not just a way to find forgiveness for sin in order to enter eternal life, yet it is that. It is not just a system of right beliefs about ultimate truth and the order of things, though it is that. Nor is it just a way to find God’s comfort in times of trouble or a helpful code of conduct for how to live a good and productive life, though it is those things too. Fundamentally, the Christian faith is a call to … follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and join in the great mission of Christ in our world. … Only then will we become completed people—people living according to God’s deepest purpose for our lives.—Richard Stearns3

    Conclusion: The Blueprint for Life

    As we have seen throughout this series on discipleship, the Bible teaches us about the relationship God wishes to have with us and how to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him. Growing in Christlikeness and being transformed into His likeness is the foundation for living a godly and fruitful life in harmony with God and others, which produces the fruit of His Spirit in our lives and those of others (Galatians 5:22–23). It is within the Bible that we learn truths revealed by God that we can pattern our lives after.

    In God’s Word, we find the biblical principles that serve as the compass for our lives and help us to navigate the challenges of everyday life and to be an effective witness for Christ. His Word conveys principles that guide us in our interaction with others and our decision-making, helping us to discern the difference between right and wrong. These spiritual principles set the tone for our moral standard, our ethics, our attitudes about life, love, the world, the environment, and relationships. Though the Bible doesn’t specifically deal with every possible situation that we may face, it does provide the principles needed to navigate the complexities of life in a manner that is pleasing to God.

    His Word teaches us to live out our discipleship by loving and serving others. Our love for Jesus moves us to serve others on His behalf. It motivates us to be His ambassadors in whatever situation we find ourselves. It compels us to assist those in need, and to provide hope and healing to those who have none. We can be His hands to help and touch, His mouth to speak the truth of His Word and give encouragement and hope, His eyes to convey compassion, His feet to walk alongside a weary soul, and His arms to help carry their heavy burden. In so doing, our lives will glorify Him and bless others, as the following articles highlight.

    A Beautiful Life

    When the life of a follower of Jesus is lived as Jesus intended it to be, it becomes a thing of beauty. Being a Christian and having a relationship with God should be something that permeates our daily experiences, is integrated into our decisions, and brings color to our perceptions of ourselves, others, and this life. The countless expressions of God’s love shared with others in the course of a Christian’s life may at times appear to be insignificant in themselves, yet God sees them in the context of the totality of a life that glorifies Him, and He revels in their beauty.

    The more we are determined to strengthen our walk with Jesus, and the more we desire a deeper spiritual connection with Him, the more He will be able to manifest His Spirit through us. We are His handiwork. As we allow Him to blend the hues of His love and mercy and develop the beauty of form that He intended for us, we become His masterpiece that will speak to the hearts of many. Let’s eagerly embrace the priceless gift of His presence in our lives. And as we cultivate the captivating beauty of God’s love in all we do and say, others will be drawn to Him through us.—Maria Fontaine

    Christ’s Fragrance

    The Apostle Paul wrote that the Church is a fragrance of Christ to the world: “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:15). By this he meant that every believer, and every congregation of believers, establishes a presence of Christ in the world which is palpable to nonbelievers. …

    But what is that fragrance? How should we expect others to experience the presence of Jesus in us? In two ways, primarily: the truth of the Gospel and the love of Jesus Christ. God's truth speaks to every aspect of human life. By His Word of truth, in the hands of His Spirit, Christ is making all things new in our lives (Revelation 21:5). This means that, in every area of our lives—all our relationships, roles, and responsibilities—Christians exhibit a newness which conforms not to the spirit of the world but to the Holy Spirit of Christ. Our conversation will be different—not filled with carping and complaining, triteness and frivolity, criticism and mean-spiritedness; instead, our words will always be gracious and edifying, respectful of the people with whom we converse (Colossians 4:6; Ephesians 4:29).

    So also with the ways we do our work, raise our children, participate in the culture of our day, and conduct ourselves with dignity and grace. We are new creatures in Jesus Christ, and, therefore, in many ways, out of step with the surrounding culture. But by living the truth in every aspect of our lives we shine the light of Jesus and exude the fragrance of His worldview into every nook and cranny of our lives.

    Believers need to work hard at being the fragrance of Jesus. By steeping ourselves in God's Word and living in an attitude of prayer … we can begin to waft the fragrant smell of King Jesus into more of the everyday aspects and areas of our lives. Let us resolve to be that fragrance of truth and love, and we will find that the wind of God's Spirit will accompany us everywhere we go, sending the aroma of Jesus to all and everyone, as well as to God.—T. M. Moore4

    Jesus has entrusted us with the responsibility of passing on His personal, unconditional, all-encompassing love to our fellow men and women, to those who share the planet with us today. The commission He has given to His disciples is to take the gospel to all the world. Wherever the Lord has called you to is your mission field, and you are called to serve and reach the people He places in your path. Every one of us has some opportunity, some network, some realm in which we can be sharing His love and truth with others, strengthening people’s faith, hope, and hearts.

    May the Lord bless your discipleship and service to Him and witness to others so that you can be the salt of the earth and the light of the world He has called us to be (Matthew 5:13–14). Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). In so doing, we will be living a life of discipleship that glorifies God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

    Thoughts to Ponder

    Discipleship isn’t a program or an event; it’s a way of life. It’s not for a limited time, but for our whole life. Discipleship … is for all believers for every day of their life.—Bill Hull

    Every believer who takes seriously their vocation as a disciple of Jesus will see themselves as a “sent one” wherever they find themselves, and will look to be mobilized into action in that place. This could take the form of being a “good witness” at work or a good neighbor to those who live nearby, or it could involve volunteering.—Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch

    Don’t allow the words of Jesus to only stay printed in your Bible. Give them wings, springing them into action. There are souls in your life who need your nurture. Consider how you might show concern for their welfare, loving and caring for them the way you already love and care for yourself. When you do, you’ll be completing the chain of love that began when God first loved you.—Karen Ehman

    What the Bible Says

    “Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:4–5; John 15:8 NKJV).

    “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6–7).

    “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life” (Jude 1:20–21 NIV).

    A Prayer for Everyday Discipleship

    Heavenly Father, thank you for saving me, calling me, and giving me purpose. You are so good, and your grace is sufficient for me. I ask that you cleanse my heart from sin and clear my mind of the distractions that attempt to draw me away from fellowship with you today. Help me abide in Christ, to learn from Him and lean on Him, so I can live for Him and lead others to Him. You are worthy of all of my devotion and praise. Make me a faithful and fruitful disciple who brings you glory every day. In the mighty and matchless name of Christ, my King, I pray, Amen.5

    1 Scott Montrose, “Life’s Editing,” Activated, January 2021, https://activated.org/en/life/the-whole-you/personal-growth/lifes-editing/

    2 Charles Price, Christ for Real: How to Grow into Christ’s Likeness (Kregel Publications, 2011).

    3 Richard Stearns, Unfinished: Believing Is Only the Beginning (Thomas Nelson, 2013).

    4 T. M. Moore, “The Fragrance of Truth and Love,” January 29, 2010.

    5 Annie McGuire, “What is a disciple of Christ?” Daily His Disciple, January 11, 2022, https://dailyhisdisciple.com/2022/01/11/what-is-a-disciple-of-christ/.

     

  • May 19 The Life of Discipleship, Part 11: Sharing Our Resources
  • Apr 28 The Life of Discipleship, Part 10: Our Work Life
  • Mar 17 The Life of Discipleship, Part 9: Discipling Others
  • Mar 3 1 Corinthians: Chapter 15 (verses 37–58)
  • Feb 17 The Life of Discipleship, Part 8: Sharing Our Faith
  • Feb 3 1 Corinthians: Chapter 15 (verses 20–36)
  • Jan 20 The Life of Discipleship, Part 7: Serving God by Serving Others
  • Dec 16 1 Corinthians: Chapter 15 (verses 1–19)
  • Dec 2 The Life of Discipleship, Part 6: Love for Others
   

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