Gentleness

But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these kinds of things. Galatians 5:22,23

Brothers, if anyone is caught 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

We don’t see a lot of this on TV or in the movies because gentleness does not make good drama, or newspaper headlines. It is boring. It seems to be much better watching friends fall out, fight and even kill to get their own selfish way. Take a look at any of the TV soaps which are filled with all of these things, and for good measure add shouting, adultery and infidelity. That’s what seems to sell to the masses. After all, that’s what we clamour to tune in to.

Real life, however is a very different thing. The poor, bereaved, depressed and lonely don’t want or need aggravation. They need and yearn for some Godly gentleness in their lives, and can you blame them? If it isn’t found on the media, then where would we find gentleness? Godly gentleness is a wonderful thing, and unmistakeable when you come across it. When seen at its best, I would suggest you would want it, even more than the ‘brutality’ mess that the media serves up every night.

Next time you are tempted to join in the all too easy media mess, spare a second thought of those who are watching you. Mum and dad? Son or daughter? Friend or neighbour? Whoever they might be, it would make a refreshing change to see in you and me, a ‘gentle-man’ or a ‘gentle-woman’ positively beaming with that God given fruit of the Spirit, gentleness.

Gently

Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently. Romans 14:1 The Message

The longer we have been a Christian, the more likely we are to fall into the old trap of thinking, “they shouldn’t be doing that, or acting like they do, after all when I was their age (in birthdays or faith years) I didn’t behave that way!” (Oh really??) I will be the first to admit that I see things very differently now, than I did 40 years ago, and that’s inside and outside the confines of the church I have attended pretty much all of that time. The world has changed, the church has changed, but Jesus has not!

No one really likes change, and if you are reading this, you won’t either! It is a natural reaction to resist anything that looks different from anything we are used to. You can be 20 or 60, the same rule applies. I chose the ‘Message’ translation for the verse above, because it captures something of our nature when we see or hear young Christians behave in ways we don’t approve of. We also have to remember that ‘young in the faith’ can mean a man or woman of later years, and old habits die hard, or at least take a lot longer to die!

Paul’s advice is clear, and simple. Be gentle. Don’t criticise. Oh how we love to criticise, but we don’t call it that, we prefer to call it giving advice ‘in love’. If you are an older Christian, like me, let’s try to take care of the younger students of faith and lead them gently in the Way. We have a duty of care, and as we do, we are also reminded in Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Them or Us?

The news reporting of the massacre in Norway has shown up some startling, and fundamental differences between 'them' (the Norwegians) and 'us' (the rest of the world, especially the UK). I am having some problems understanding these, and wonder if you have too?

I have found myself in much awe and respect of the ordinary folks of another small country who have suffered an atrocity of mass murder at the hands of a possibly insane, probably evil, human being who was 'one of their own'. These folks have been described by such words as, “trusting”, “naive”, “patient”, “not angry”, “understanding”, “friendly and helpful”, “honest”, “strangely balanced”, “not shouting or yelling at the accused”, and many more positive adjectives.

So, what do we, the UK media do? We shove microphones and cameras under the noses of these good people and ask stupid questions of the surviving victims, like “How do you feel” and “Why don't you get angry”? All in the hope that they might weep or get angry. We seem to think that makes good TV viewing. Then there are the pushy journalists who keep asking why it took the police so long to get to the island after the massive explosion in Oslo city centre. As if we were perfect. We have just finished the investigation into the 7/7 London bombings, and guess what? We failed abysmally at the same things we are accusing the Norwegians of. Double standards I think.

I still respect the Norwegian citizens from the top down, and would only wish we could be more like them. Our probing, fault finding, negative, morally lacking, corrupt journalism is in shreds right now over the News International scandal, and we carry on as if we were still the only ones holding the principle of freedom of the press. We have no right to question another nation's grief, or how they deal with that grief, let alone try to look as if we are the balanced media of the free world.

Sorry, but that was bugging me.