GENTLENESS.

Fruit-bearing trees are used in the Scriptures to represent the race of

mankind. The Savior likens the wicked to "corrupt trees," which bear evil

fruit and the righteous to "good trees" which bear good fruit (Matt. 7:15,

20). He also teaches very emphatically the impossibility of one's being a

good tree and yet bearing evil fruit, or of being a corrupt tree and

bearing good fruit. Since the nature of the fruit we bear determines wh t

manner of tree we are, it is very advisable that we as professing

Christians should frequently examine the fruit we are bearing. To be

Christ's, or to be a Christian, we must have the Spirit of Christ; for the

Scriptures say that "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none

of his" (Rom. 8:9). As certainly as cause produces effect, those who have

the Spirit of Christ bear the fruit of the Spirit. Not to bear the fruit

of the Spirit is full proof that you have not the Spirit. Then a close

examination of the fruit you are bearing will reveal to you whether or not

you have the Spirit of Christ, whether or not you are his, whether or not

you are a Christian. You can make a superficial examination, and allow

yourself to be deceived. You can make excuses for yourself because of your

weaknesses, and thus deceive yourself. But a close, thorough, profound

examination will disclose to each one the manner of spirit he is of.



Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5: 22). If we have the

Spirit of Christ, we bear this fruit. "Well," says one, "in my very make

-up I am rough, harsh, and hasty." You need to be made anew. When God finds

a man that is rough, harsh, and severe in his make-up, He will, if the man

will yield to the operation of the Holy Spirit, make him mild, gentle, and

peaceful. People go to a hospital and by a scientific operation have

abscesses and tumors removed from the stomach and other internal parts.

God, by a blessed, wonderful, and successful operation of the Holy Spirit,

will take that roughness, harshness, and severity out of your nature, and

instil mildness, tenderness, softness, and gentleness instead. Harshness

and roughness are a corruption that God, in his gracious plan of

salvation, is pleased to remove. If you will allow the Holy Spirit to work

in you that which is pleasing in God's sight, he will make you gentle.



What is gentleness? It is blandness, softness, mildness, and meekness. It

is the opposite of harshness, roughness, etc. It is sweetness of

disposition, mildness of temper, softness of manner, kindness, tenderness,

etc. Those who are of a gentle disposition act and speak without asperity.

They are not morose, sour, crabbed, and uneven, but are smooth, mild, and

even. Good manners are intimately connected with gentleness, and good

manners are no dishonor to Christianity.



The apostle Paul by way of testimony said to the Thessalonian saints, "We

were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children." 1 Thess.

2:7 Such was his manner. As a kind mother is to a delicate child, so was

he to those whom he loved. Vastly different was he then from what he was

when he was persecuting and wasting the church of God. He had been changed

by grace. He exhorts servants of the Lord to "be gentle unto all men" (2

Tim. 2: 24) and to be "gentle, showing all meekness unto all men" (Tit.

3:2). David, in his sublime tribute of praise to God in 2 Sam. 22: 36

says, "Thy gentleness hath made me great."



Would you, my reader, like to be more gentle in your manner? Are you too

harsh and rough? Are you, if a parent, as gentle to your children as you

should be, at all times? Husband, are you as kind and gentle toward your

wife as you should be? Do you believe you fill the Bible measure in this

particular? Are you as gentle to your domestic animals as you should be?

or do you have impatient feelings and act in a hasty, abrupt manner

towards them? If you meet with something quite provoking from your wife or

the children or the animals, do you keep as mild and sweet as you know you

should? Now, I hope you will examine closely. I do not mean to condemn

you; I want to help you. There are many professing saints today who are

not nearly so gentle as they should be. Why not be in earnest, and seek

God for help, and make improvement? Why go along with crossness, and

coldness and snappishness in your life? Be gentle toward all.



Gentleness is a beauteous grace. Her excellence is great. By culture this

grace is capable of much improvement. Too few saints experience it to the

extent they should. I beseech you by the gentleness of Jesus to be in

earnest and improve upon your gentleness. Never allow a frown or a scowl

to settle for a moment upon your brow. It will leave its mark if you do

so. Learn to be gentle in your home. Sometimes when far away from home,

you picture to yourself how gentle and kind and loving you should be at

home. By God's grace you can be just as gentle as you see in the picture

you should.