Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

To Reap the Harvest: Gentleness!

1 Peter 3v15 “Always be prepared to give an answer … for the hope that you have. But do it with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience.”

Last week we considered boldness. This comes from the Holy Spirit who is not fearful. But how can we be both bold and gentle?

The boldness of the Spirit is not an aggressiveness, nor even about assertiveness, but simply a willingness to speak about Jesus rather than remain silent. And even the authority of what we say comes not from ourselves, but from the authority that comes from God’s truth.

Gentleness is also of the Spirit. It is listed as one of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5v22-23. Gentleness is the way in which we deal with people and the way in which we speak.  It is totally compatible with being bold. In fact, it takes a godly boldness to be gentle. And so we rely on the Spirit’s gentleness in our approach, our manner, and the way we put things, and on the Spirit’s boldness in us actually speaking and telling the truth.

We are not looking to win arguments but people. Arguments lead to raised volumes and entrenched positions, but winsomeness leads to saved souls. That does not mean we do not defend our faith with arguments: Peter tells us above to be prepared to give an answer. But these are arguments against falsehood rather than people. Who is God calling us to win with gentleness, love and truth? In this way, we can keep a clear conscience before God.

May God enable us each by the power of the Holy Spirit within us to be both bold and gentle.

With love and blessing,

Roland