“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NLT)
Many people confuse gentleness with weakness. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, it takes a person of great self-control to be gentle, kind, and loving. I think of a commercial I saw recently where a muscle-bound wrestler was having a tea party with his little girl. No one would dare call that dude “weak.”
Of course, the best example of gentle strength is Jesus. While being the Creator of all things, He was, at the same time, “humble and gentle at heart” (Matthew 11:29). The King of Kings was born in a stable. The Lord of Lords washed His disciples’ feet. Heaven’s High Priest made Himself the very sacrifice that takes away the sins of the world.
Another great example of gentle strength is found in the life of the Apostle Paul. He called out transgressors, condemned false teaching, and disciplined the rebellious with great strength. He was also like a mother caring for her little children (1 Thessalonians 2:7). In fact, he was sometimes criticized for his gentle touch (2 Corinthians 10:10). Don’t mistake Paul’s gentleness for weakness, though, because this man endured more suffering than any other Apostle before him. He followed Jesus even unto death. Does that sound weak to you?
We live in a world where the survival of the fittest reigns as the motto of humanity. This world can be vicious and unfair. We can be tempted to think that strength shows itself through brute force.
Yet amid all this, in Matthew 11:28-30, Christ says, “…Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Remember, Jesus Christ overcame the very forces of darkness that ruled over humanity with a gentle strength, and by His power, so can we.
Digging Deeper:
- How have you experienced the strength of a gentle touch in your life? Share your story with the myKLOVE community.
- What are some ways you can express gentle strength this week?
10 Verses on God's Strength
