“Walk with all Gentleness”
Ephesians 4:2
I. Our Wealth and Worth In Christ 1-3
II. Our Worthy Walk in Christ 4-6
A. Walk in Unity
1. Exhortation to walk worthy of our calling 1
1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called
(The Following are notes not included in last week’s notes.)
In light of God’s abundant blessing and our high calling, Paul urges all citizens of God’s kingdom to live a life worthy of that privilege. Law demands action before blessing. Grace motivates action by abundant blessing.
2. Characteristics of unity 2-3
Walk worthy of you calling by…
“walking with all humility”
Humility of mind is an intentional change in the way we think regarding ourselves, God and others. Humility of mind keeps God and others before self. Humility is the opposite of pride.
What motivates such a change in thinking?
THOUGHT CHANGING ENCOUNTERS (Attitude adjusters)
1. Encounter with the greatness of God.
We are humbled when we realize how great God is and how small we are. All through the Bible we are encouraged to look at the stars, consider creation, reflect on the power and greatness and majesty of the Creator of all things.
2. Encounter with the wonder of redemption.
We are humbled when we realize how powerfully blessed we are. We deserved eternal punishment and God saved us. The Day of Atonement was a day to humble themselves (think rightly) in consideration of their cleansing from sin.
This shall be a permanent statute for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall humble your souls and not do any work, whether the native, or the alien who sojourns among you; for it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you; you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD. It is to be a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, that you may humble your souls; it is a permanent statute. Leviticus 16:29-31
The Bible is full of encouragement to think about our wonderful salvation. The fact is clear that no one can save themselves it is only because of the mercy and grace of God.
3. Encounter with intimacy with God.
We are humbled when realize that the God of the universe wants intimate relationship with us.
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. Jam 4:4-7, 10
The motivation for humbling ourselves in this passage is the realization that God deeply longs for an exclusive relationship with us.
4. Encounter with the trauma and trials of a fallen world.
We are humbled when we realize that we are unable to control life. God imbedded an excruciating “thorn in the flesh” to keep Paul humble.
Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 2 Corinthians 12:7
Paul identified the purpose of his traumatic life events.
8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead… 2 Corinthians 1:8-9
God allowed Israel to suffer tribulation so that they would have right thinking.
He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD. Deuteronomy 8:3
He sent bondage to break their pride and turn from their proud rebellious ways.
I also was acting with hostility against them, to bring them into the land of their enemies—or if their uncircumcised heart becomes humbled so that they then make amends for their iniquity, then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and I will remember also My covenant with Isaac, and My covenant with Abraham as well, and I will remember the land. Leviticus 26:41-42
God works through weak vessels so that His strength will become all the more evident.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 2 Corinthians 4:7-11
5. Encounter with our own weakness – failure.
It took devastating failure and a forty year stint in the desert for Moses to realize that God’s calling and purpose can only be accomplished through God’s power. It took a radical sifting by Satan for Peter to realize that even the greatest intentions and self-confidence were not enough.
Humility of mind is a radical change in thinking regarding myself, God and others.
First, I must have right thinking concerning my relationship with God; one of humble submission.
Second, I must have right thinking about my own inabilities and weakness and my need for God’s supernatural strength. Jesus said, “apart from Me you can do nothing.” – so abide in Him (John 15:5) Paul learned that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philp 4:13
Third, I must maintain right thinking concerning my relationship with people.
I submit to God’s agenda; His glory not my gain (It relates mostly with people)
I have nothing of significance that God did not give me in the first place. (Not pride)
My goal is to build the body of Jesus Christ not bolster my ego.
I am most like Christ when I am serving others rather than myself.
I have nothing to prove.
My worth is not dependent on the affirmation or cooperation of others
My worth is solely dependent on who I am due to my connection to Jesus Christ.
I do not have to compete with others to acquire or maintain my personal worth.
My reputation and exaltation are in God’s hand.
We all serve the same Lord.
We need each other.
My personal agenda is not worth breaking fellowship and dishonoring the cause of Christ?
Application
• Admit pride and humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God.
• Acknowledge your self-centered attitude toward people.
• Renew thinking about the greatness of God, His saving grace, His desire for intimate relationship with you, your inability to control your world and your own personal weakness and selfish thinking when it comes to others.
• Act in accordance with your renewed humble thinking.
Introduction
Just as humility is not high on the American admired character trait list, neither is the second trait modeled and mandated by Jesus.
Walk worthy of your calling by…
“walking with all gentleness”
Meekness or gentleness is not possible without humility. Humility is the foundation for gentleness.
Meekness, gentleness is that spirit in which we accept God’s dealings with us without disputing and resisting; and also the accepting patiently of the injuries done us by men, out of the thought that they are permitted by God for the chastening and purifying of His people (2 Sa 16:11; compare Ga 6:1; 2 Ti 2:25; Tit 3:2). (Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, Eph 4:2–3.)
Meekness is the opposite of macho-ness. Meekness should not to be associated with weakness. In actuality, meekness has been described as power under control.
A gentle horse is one under control even though it could crush us at any time with its power.
Our little dog “Teddy” has grown almost as big as his daddy but has had a very gentle spirit with the little tiny new puppies from the time they were born.
Jesus called Himself meek. He was the ultimate example of power under control. He is Almighty God. He has the ability to crush any who opposed Him. He could have called down ten thousand angels to rescue Him. Jesus demonstrated His meekness in the face of opposition. He restrained Himself when personally attacked. He responded with grace when rejected and ignored. Jesus gently responded to the woman caught in adultery. Jesus gently responded to the hungry crowd. Jesus even responded gently to Judas who He knew was stealing from the treasury and about to betray Him.
He didn’t respond harshly to those who mocked Him and reviled Him.
WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 1 Peter 2:22-24
Out of all the opportunities to express harshness to those who opposed Him there are very few examples to cite; money changers and stiff-necked Pharisees.
Paul sought to follow the example of his Lord and Savior.
Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! 2 Corinthians 10:1
Gentleness restrains a harsh response even when it might be well deserved.
God Himself acts gently toward His children.
You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your right hand upholds me; And Your gentleness makes me great. Psalm 18:35
But they deceived Him with their mouth and lied to Him with their tongue. For their heart was not steadfast toward Him, nor were they faithful in His covenant. But He, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them; and often He restrained His anger and did not arouse all His wrath. Psalm 78:36-38
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. 9 He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. Psalm 103:8-11
For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are ordinary dust. Psalm 103:14
A harsh response is generally motivated by irritation or anger due to a self-focused attitude.
It is generally a sign of being controlled by the flesh rather than the Holy Spirit.
It is generally an indication of a temporal rather than an eternal perspective.
If we had God’s perspective on things we would have no reason to respond inappropriately.
Gentleness is one sure sign we live by the direction and power of the Holy Spirit (fruit of the spirit).
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:22-26
The opposite of meekness is harshness, pushiness, severity, aggravation, aggressiveness, hostility, controlling. All of these come from a compulsion to control or manipulate people and life.
Only when we have humbled ourselves to God’s agenda and humbly offered ourselves to serve those God brings our way will we be able to choose a gentle response over a harsh one.
Whenever we consider our agenda more important than others (humility) we will find ourselves irritated and harsh especially when things don’t go according to our superior agenda or we don’t get the cooperation we need to accomplish OUR agenda.
They didn’t do it the way I would have done it or when I would have done it. They wouldn’t agree to MY terms. Why won’t they help me? They refused to listen to my ideas or support my cause. They did their own thing.
The God who knows all about it and could do something about it calls us to respond with gentleness.
Jesus is a perfect model of gentleness.
It was even a character trait prophesied centuries beforehand.
"SAY TO THE DAUGHTER OF ZION, 'BEHOLD YOUR KING IS COMING TO YOU, GENTLE, AND MOUNTED ON A DONKEY, EVEN ON A COLT, THE FOAL OF A BEAST OF BURDEN.' " Matthew 21:5
Moses is also offered as a master model of meekness.
Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married (for he had married a Cushite woman); and they said, "Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us as well?" And the LORD heard it. (Now the man Moses was very gentle (meek, humble), more than any man who was on the face of the earth.) Numbers 12:1-3
Notice the context! It was in the in relations to opposition – even insubordination. God called him the meekest man on the face of the earth because he responded to difficult people and situations with a quiet trust in God. Look what and who he had to deal with; stiff-necked hoards of self-centered complaining people. Every time they turned around there were people belly aching about something. Besides that, he was expected to settle petty disputes between them from sunrise to sunset. His response was to run to God not rail against people. Only once did he lose it out of all of that time and it cost him dearly. His failure to respond gently reflected on God – his lack of trust in God dishonored God.
The priest was not allowed to tear his garment because out of any one who should see the eternal perspective it was the priest who served in the presence of God.
Jesus said…
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5
Again, we live in a hostile culture determined to fight and strife for their way in life and their personal rights. Step on whoever you have to for success. Lord it over, intimidate, push, pull, control, fight for your rights. Jesus said, “Don’t worry about that now because, in the end, it’s all going to be yours.” “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteous.” God’s people should be known by their gentle demeanor and response. It makes an impact because it is so counter cultural.
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. Matthew 10:16
What does this look like in a hostile culture?
Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned. Titus 3:1-11
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. Jam 3:17
Sanctify (set apart) Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence 1 Peter 3:15
What does this look like in the church? It starts in the leadership.
An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. 1 Timothy 3:2-3
But flee from these things, you man of God (young pastor Timothy), and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11
Paul modeled it.
For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness— nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority (humble thinking). But we proved to be gentle among you (actions), as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. 8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2:5-8
Picture of gentleness – nursing mother.
Gentleness is a key component to interpersonal relationships.
Brothers, if anyone is caught (overtaken) in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Galatians 6:1
The term “restore” means to mend, repair, prepare, perfect, complete. The manner with which we carry out this function is “in a spirit or attitude of gentleness.” This comes from a realization that we are no better and also vulnerable to temptation.
And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26
It seems Paul considered quarrelsome as opposite of gentle. Gentleness is coupled with kindness and forbearance. Once things get heated and harsh the chance for effective instruction radically diminishes. This is a valued character trait for every follower of Jesus Christ, but Peter applies it to wives.
In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands
The “in the same way” refers to the refusal of Jesus to harshly respond to ill treatment.
so that even if any of them (husbands) are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.
The winning does not necessarily mean win to Christ, but to restore a struggling relationship.
"If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. Matthew 18:15
Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
The quality God considers precious and valuable is a gentle and quiet spirit.
“quiet” = still, peaceable, undisturbed, keep one’s seat.
Peter pointed out Old Testament women and especially Sarah as a good examples.
A key to acquiring such character is embedded in this reference.
For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. 1 Peter 3:1-6
Hoped in God. Do what is right without being afraid. Their unwavering trust in God allowed them to respond to life with quietness and gentleness. Fear raises the intensity of our responses. We switch into self-protective mode. We impulsively grab the controls and try to take over.
Gentleness is only possible when we humbly submit ourselves to God and His agenda. I discard gentleness when I have a personal agenda to promote. When I become afraid and must protect myself, I become more forceful with people.
Jesus responded to ill treatment by continually entrusting Himself to His Father.
and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously 1 Peter 2:23
Jesus asks us to learn humility and gentleness from Him.
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
Gentleness comes by inviting the Holy Spirit to direct and empower our life.
Those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. 1 Peter 4:19
Once we get into self-mode or flesh-mode it looks like this…
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
Moses dealt with difficulty by trusting God.
Sarah dealt with difficulty by trusting in God not Abraham.
Paul exhibited gentleness because he trusted in God and he was committed to God’s agenda.
It’s time for an honest inside look. Would gentleness be a word used to describe our interaction with people? Let our lack of gentleness be an indicator that our focus shifted from God to self. Let our harsh responses to life and people be an indicator that we stopped trusting God.
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:44-45
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint.
1 Peter 4:8-9
We desperately need not only the example and direction of Jesus but His power.
