Philippians 4:5 (NIV)
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Of all the things to put in the Bible! How about us tough guys? How about the “buffalo” male who can withstand a 40 mph wind like nothing? I mean, where is the machismo in this verse? Then I looked in the ASV, it is translated reasonableness. Those translators knew what they were doing – or were macho. This word ἐπιεικής (epieikais) is most translated gentle – as in being gentle to people, not quarreling, being yielding, being gracious. There is no way around it, we are to be gentle to people.
The kicker is the last phrase; The Lord is near. Whether that is a reference to the second coming or His Presence, it doesn’t matter. It is our encouragement to live and act towards others like Jesus is right beside us. Wouldn’t it be hard to be nitpicky, brash, merciless and argumentative when Jesus is right next to you? Better than that, He is not only next to you, but lives in you. You are gentle – you are!
Pastor Terry of Hope Chapel OC blogs the Words of life from the Spirit of God
Last Days of This Blog
This will be the last month of this blog at this address. If you would like to continue to read my blog, email me at pt@hopeoc.org and I will send you updated information.
PT
PT and Lora welcome you to the blog. Read my profile below.
Reading Plan
We are almost done! Through the Bible in a year! Don't let the season stop you from your goal! Keep reading and meditating!
Dec 20- Heb 12, Esther 1-2, Ps 108
Dec 21- Heb 13, Esther 3-6
Dec 22- James 1, Esther 7-10
Dec 23- James 2, Ezra 7-8
Dec 24- James 3, Ezra 9-10, Ps 28
Dec 25- James 4, Neh 1-3, Ps 120
Dec 26- James 5, Neh 4-6, Ps 93
Dec 27- 1 John 1, Neh 7-8
Dec 28- 1 John 2, Neh 9-10
Dec 29- 1 John 3, Neh 11-12
Dec 30- 1 John 4, Neh 13, Mal 1-2
Dec 31- 1 John 5, Mal 3-4, Ps 78
Dec 20- Heb 12, Esther 1-2, Ps 108
Dec 21- Heb 13, Esther 3-6
Dec 22- James 1, Esther 7-10
Dec 23- James 2, Ezra 7-8
Dec 24- James 3, Ezra 9-10, Ps 28
Dec 25- James 4, Neh 1-3, Ps 120
Dec 26- James 5, Neh 4-6, Ps 93
Dec 27- 1 John 1, Neh 7-8
Dec 28- 1 John 2, Neh 9-10
Dec 29- 1 John 3, Neh 11-12
Dec 30- 1 John 4, Neh 13, Mal 1-2
Dec 31- 1 John 5, Mal 3-4, Ps 78
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