The Fruit of the Spirit is GENTLENESS.
Today’s background photo shows a new day dawning over downtown Seattle as yet another workday is about to begin. Perhaps you might notice the snowflake decorations on the buildings in the photo. Clearly this photo was taken during the Christmas Holiday season.
It only takes a quick glance at today’s background photo to instantly know when the photo was taken and what the season was … it is clearly obvious because the city is “clothed” in Christmas decorations.
Our daily verse today states: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, GENTLENESS and patience.” -Colossians 3:12
If we are followers of Jesus Christ, it will be clearly obvious.
- The Holy Spirit will “clothe” us with holiness.
- The Holy Spirit will “clothe” us with God’s compassion.
- The Holy Spirit will “clothe” us with God’s KINDNESS.
- The Holy Spirit will “clothe” us with humility.
- The Holy Spirit will “clothe” us with GENTLENESS.
- The Holy Spirit will “clothe” us with PATIENCE.
You might be wondering: But the verse states that we are to clothe ourselves with these traits. How do we do this if the Holy Spirit is the one doing it??
- The Holy Spirit prompts us to have compassion. Our part is to obey.
- The Holy Spirit prompts and instructs us towards specific acts of KINDNESS. Our part is to obey.
- The Holy Spirit trains and instructs us in humility. Our part is to obey.
- The Holy Spirit guides and directs responses of GENTLENESS. Our part is to obey.
- The Holy Spirit instructs and directs us to respond in PATIENCE. Our part is to obey.
Ephesians 4:30 states: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” If we do not obey the Holy Spirit’s leading in our lives, we grieve the Holy Spirit.
Again, 1 Thessalonians 5:19 states: “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.” This charge was preceded (in verses 13-18) by instructions to live in PEACE, to encourage, to help, to be PATIENT, to be KIND, to be JOYFUL, to pray continually. It is the same list of the fruit of the Spirit.
Which leads back to our daily verse for today (Colossians 3:12):
* As followers of Jesus Christ, we are chosen by God, we have been made holy, and we are dearly loved by God.
* Because of this, the Holy Spirit “clothes” us with the very character traits of God Himself.
* But we have a part which we must do … we must respond … we must obey!
The Fruit of the Spirit is GENTLENESS.
