March 2012
(Note: Pastor's Pen is published on a monthly basis)
Be Gentle To All Men
The word “gentle” from the New Oxford English Dictionary
refers to high-born and derives from Old French (modern French means pleasant or
agreeable) belonging to a good family; a person well born (orig. nobly-born)
…free from sternness or aggression; moderate in action, effect, or degree; not
violent, severe, or boisterous.
Those that are “born again” are indeed of noble birth and should act as if they
are from Christ’s Royal Family. The dictionary is describing a true Christian.
One led of the Spirit of God is to be under the direction of the Father thus he
will demonstrate love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance: which is the Fruit of the Spirit. “The world” the
unregenerate societies we live in scoff and laugh at these characteristics in
the redeemed person. Aggressive, harsh, “in-your-face” action is the vogue of
the day. But we, as Christians, must not succumb to this type of nature in our
everyday walk of life.
The “world” is not happy with it’s nature, nor the fruit of it’s nature but it
persists pell-mell toward the flaming abyss and knows all to well the direction
in which it is headed cannot change on it’s own. The “world” must be re-born in
order to have this new nature; only the King of all Ages can issue this nature
and a Birth Certificate with it. The Certificate is not issued on paper but on
the heart, the mind and the character of the “New Man.” Old things have passed
away, and all things have become new. We are the light of God’s love and
forgiveness. We no longer fight our cause but we have a Victor who has already
won the battle. We have the privilege of demonstrating it through our nature and
actions by being “gentle to all men” showing forth the nature of our King,
Jesus. In 2012 let’s show that we are “gentle to all men” at Northwest. You are
loved!
Love and prayers,
~ Pastor Roberts
Copyright © 2012 Northwest Tampa Church of God