Whoever says he abides in him
ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
—1 John 2:6
When Jesus invites people to come to him, he says, “For I am gentle and humble in heart” (Mt 11:29).
God wants to conform us to Christ’s image (Rom 8:29). In other words, he wants us to be gentle and humble.
Scripture says an elder must be gentle (1 Tm 3:3). It was a required course in Paul’s school for preachers (1 Tm 6:11). And it is an item to be included in a wife’s makeup regimen (1 Pt 3:4). To all of us he says, “Let your gentleness be evident to all” (Phil 4:5; “be gentle toward everyone” (Titus 3:2).
He urges us to be compassionate and humble (1 Pt 3:8) and promises the humble will be exalted (Lk 14:11).
Paul put the two qualities together in one sentence: “Be completely humble and gentle” (Eph 4:2).
Grade yourself. Are you gentle and humble?