The fruit of the Spirit is…gentleness…. – Galatians 5:22-23

Scripture reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Gentleness connects with faithfulness. In order to be faithful, we need the spirit of gentleness. Faithfulness requires us to swallow sinful pride, for if we do not, it will be very difficult to be faithful where God has called us to be.

Gentleness does not arise from our spirit first, but by the Spirit of Christ, Who knows what it means to be gentle. Christian gentleness arises from those who identify themselves by the grace of God. The Canons of Dort say that “the sense of certainty of God’s election affords to the children of God additional matter for daily humiliation” (Canons, I, Article 13), and that the perseverance of saints “is so far from exciting in the saints a sense of pride…that on the contrary, it is the real source of humility” (Canons, V, Article 12).

The gospel of Jesus Christ is designed to have this humbling impact on believers, so important for all our relationships; it is most certainly so in the relationship that we are to have with each other in Christ’s church.

We will talk more about this gentle spirit next time.

Suggestion for prayer

As you focus on the sovereign grace of God for you in Jesus Christ, pray that the Lord will bless you by His Spirit with a spirit of gentility and humility in increasing fashion unto God’s praise.

This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. John Vermeer is the pastor of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa.