Perfect Pairings
In the food world, you can be a redneck or a foodie (aka food snob). Your perfect pairing can be either BBQ ribs and beans, Mac and cheese, Beer and pretzels, or caviar on cucumber slices and brandy and dark chocolate, etc. Since I’m not a gourmand, I’ll stick to a topic germane to this platform.
Did you know that God has perfect pairings too? I’ve highlighted just two for this post: gentleness and humility and kindness and truth.
In October last year,
I posted the title Soft Heart Steel Spine. In it, we talked about a line with love (kindness) at one end and truth at the other. In God’s world, kindness and truth cannot be separated if you want the outcome to be positive and well received. “Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.” Prov. 3:3,4; And your reward, “Will they not go astray who devise evil? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.” Prov. 14:22.
Since our previous post focused primarily on kindness and truth, we’ll look a little deeper at gentleness and humility. As with everything in the Christian life, Jesus Christ is our model, our standard to which we aspire.
In 1980, Mac Davis wrote the song,
“It’s Hard to be Humble.” The lyrics add, “…when you’re perfect in every way.” It was meant to convey sarcastic humor. But think about it. The Epitome of perfection became the Epitome of humility…for us. This morning I read the last four chapters of Job where God is questioning Job about his knowledge and ability to cause or control anything. It was a very humbling experience for Job. But often I find myself in Job’s shoes because I want God to act sooner or less merciful for someone I feel has violated my “rights.” It was a humbling time for me realizing how much like Job I am in questioning God…about anything.
Let’s consider a couple of questions with respect to God’s pairing of gentleness and humility. W.I.I.F.M. (What’s in it for me?) is sometimes my first (sinful) thought in response to one of God’s commands. But Jesus clearly commands, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matt. 11:29. Remember, Jesus is our role model. Here He tells us what He expects and also answers the WIIFM question: “…and you will find rest for your souls.” ‘Take’ and ‘learn’ both require conscious action on our part. In Eph. 4:1,2 Paul expands the thought a little more when he implores us to “walk worthy” of our calling in Christ “…with all humility and gentleness.”
Why are gentleness and humility in us
so important to God? The easy answer is that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” But God’s heart is on display. He IS gentle and humble. Think about how patient He was in coaxing you along the path to salvation. We ARE His ambassadors called to represent Jesus to a dying world. He deserves our commitment to represent Him correctly and that includes us being gentle and humble near the top of the list of our job description.
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ for your salvation, how do you stack up against the example Jesus set for gentleness and humility? Perhaps some reflection and redirection might be called for. The gospel message is one of unbelievably inclusive love and forgiveness that Jesus died for the sins of the world. Yours are no exception. Nothing you’ve done disqualifies you from turning to Christ in humility and receiving the FREE GIFT of salvation and eternity with Jesus in heaven.
Time is short.
The evil-spawned turmoil in the world is a harbinger of Bible prophecy unfolding before our eyes. I can’t name a date—nobody can—but the signs are there for our warnings that Jesus could return for His church any time. Don’t be one who’s not ready when He comes. If you want to see what God thinks of you, click here Steps To Salvation. Thanks for reading.