Category: PASSION Reflections

The Spirit’s Fruit

On By BrianIn Virtue of Gentleness

GentlenessOfGod

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (meekness), self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23a ESV (KJV)

If the these nine qualities are fruit of Spirit, then Spirit must possess these nine qualities, including gentleness.  The Spirit is gentle, like the Father and the Son.

And the gentle Spirit works in our lives to make us a gentle people in the image of our Triune God.  The gentle Spirit works in our lives to make us gentle in situations where we otherwise couldn’t on our own.  The Spirit works to replace our tendency towards harshness, loudness, and quarrelsomeness with a Spirit-led gentleness.

Where in your life do you need to see the Spirit work the fruit of gentleness?

In what ways are you opposing the Spirit’s work of gentleness in your life?

How do you need to better cooperate with the Spirit’s work of gentleness?

The Savior’s Example, Part 2

On By BrianIn Virtue of Gentleness

GentlenessOfGod

He will not quarrel (strive, argue) or cry aloud (shout), nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised (battered) reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench. – Matthew 12:19-20a ESV (NKJV/CSB/others)

These words are a prophecy from Isaiah 42 that Jesus quotes in reference to himself.  They show a contrast to gentleness, what gentleness is not.

Jesus does not quarrel (strive, argue, fight, brawl).  He does not cry aloud (shout, yell, rant, scream).  In other words, he is not a loud-mouth.  All of this is the opposite of gentleness.  When we are yelling or loud or quarreling with people, we are not being gentle.

But Jesus was gentle with people, and we are given two great pictures of his gentleness.  First, a bruised or battered reed is easily broken, but Jesus is so gentle he doesn’t break it.  Second, a smoldering wick is ready to go out, but Jesus carefully blows it back to life.

These pictures are about people. Jesus reached out to bruised, battered, and smoldering people with a gentle love that healed, restored, and revived.  This gentle love gave new life to the hurting, weeping, sick, and oppressed.  This gentle love gave forgiveness to the sinner.

More often than we think, the people around us are bruised, battered, smoldering, weary, tired, and fragile.  We need to follow Jesus’ example and treat one another carefully, with great gentleness that builds up and gives life.

In what situations in your life do you need to rest in the gentle love of your Savior?

In what situations are you tempted to quarrel or yell?

In what specific ways can you treat others carefully this week to build up and give life?

The Savior’s Example

On By BrianIn Virtue of Gentleness

GentlenessOfGod

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle (meek) and lowly (humble) in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
– Matthew 11:29 ESV (KJV/NASB)

Jesus tells us that he is not a harsh taskmaster.  He is not a demanding tyrant.  Rather he is gentle and lowly, providing our souls with rest.

If you think him a harsh taskmaster, then that is how you will treat others.  But if we grasp that Jesus is gentle towards us – if we rest in his gentle heart, then we can learn from him and share his gentleness with those around us.

Do you think of Jesus as a harsh taskmaster or as a gentle rest-giver?

In what current situation do you need to come to Jesus to find rest for your soul?

In what relationship in your life do you need to share the gentleness of Jesus?

The Shepherd’s Care

On By BrianIn Virtue of Gentleness

GentlenessOfGod

He will tend (feed) his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
– Isaiah 40:11 ESV (KJV)

 Isaiah gives us the picture of a gentle shepherd who cares for his sheep.  He tends, feeds, gathers, carries, and leads his flock.

Our God is like a shepherd to us.  He tends and feeds us, taking care of our needs.  He gathers and carries us in his arms.  And he gently leads us along the path we should go.  He doesn’t harshly drive us.  He doesn’t violently beat us. He cares for us with the gentleness of a shepherd.

Is this how you think of God – as a gentle shepherd?

In what situation in your life do you need God to carry you right now?

How do you need God to gently lead and guide you today?

The Shepherd’s Care

On By BrianIn Virtue of Gentleness

GentlenessOfGod

He will tend (feed) his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
– Isaiah 40:11 ESV (KJV)

Isaiah gives us the picture of a gentle shepherd who cares for his sheep.  He tends, feeds, gathers, carries, and leads his flock.

Our God is like a shepherd to us.  He tends and feeds us, taking care of our needs.  He gathers and carries us in his arms.  And he gently leads us along the path we should go.  He doesn’t harshly drive us.  He doesn’t violently beat us. He cares for us with the gentleness of a shepherd.

Is this how you think of God – as a gentle shepherd?

In what situation in your life do you need God to carry you right now?

How do you need God to gently lead and guide you today?

He Is Risen…

On By BrianIn Holidays, Miscellaneous1 Comment

He is risen, so we can have:

Forgiveness of Sins

Removal of Guilt

Cleansing from Shame

Righteousness in Christ

A New Life in Christ

A Relationship with God

Victory over Sin

Victory over Satan

A Mediator with God

Intercession by Christ

The Sending of the Holy Spirit

The Way to Heaven

The Return of Christ

Personal Resurrection

Hope in Death

Confidence in God’s Word

Mercy or Grace

A Strong Basis for Our Faith

Numerous Reasons to Sing

If Jesus Is Dead and Gone…

On By BrianIn Holidays, Miscellaneous

If Jesus is dead and gone, we have:

No Forgiveness of Sins

No Removal of Guilt

No Cleansing from Shame

No Righteousness in Christ

No New Life in Christ

No Relationship with God

No Victory over Sin

No Victory over Satan

No Mediator with God

No Intercession by Christ

No Sending of the Holy Spirit

No Way to Heaven

No Return of Christ

No Personal Resurrection

No Hope in Death

No Confidence in God’s Word

No Mercy or Grace

No Basis for Our Faith

No Reason to Sing

Reflecting on the Five Solas

On By BrianIn Miscellaneous1 Comment

fivesolas

Soli Deo Gloria – To The Glory Of God Alone

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.  In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. – Ephesians 1:3-14 (ESV)

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! – Psalm 115:1 (ESV)

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. – I Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)

Questions for Reflection
In whom are we saved?  So who gets the praise and glory?
How does God’s love and faithfulness to you encourage you to give him glory?
Are you seeking to live for his glory in all of life?  What would that look like?
In what ways are you tempted to live for your own glory?

Reflecting on the Five Solas

On By BrianIn Miscellaneous

fivesolas

Solus Christus – In Christ Alone

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6 (ESV)

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. – Acts 4:12 (ESV)

Questions for Reflection
What is the only way to come to God, the only way to be saved?
Are you looking to Christ alone?
In what ways are you tempted to look to yourself?

Reflecting on the Five Solas

On By BrianIn Miscellaneous

fivesolas

Sola Gratia & Sola Fide – By Grace Alone Through Faith Alone

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it – the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.  For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. – Romans 3:21-24 (ESV)

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

Questions for Reflection
Do we receive the righteousness of God through faith or works?
Are we justified (declared righteous) by grace or by works?
Are you looking to Christ and resting in his grace?
In what ways are you tempted to try to earn your salvation?