... But you man of God, ... pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith...
But you, daughter of God, make these your goal:
righteousness
godliness (this is certainly a theme in this letter)
faith
love
perseverance
& ....gentleness...
Wait, gentleness? Not doctrine, not sharing, not peace, not worship...but an intentional mildness of disposition, tenderness or kindness. Gentleness. And then to fight for faith...I can see all of this tying together except for the gentleness part.
Why that unexpected quality?
Our fight is not a physical fight; but it does require physical endurance. The physical battle would come naturally; but to blend the battle mindset with a delicate gentleness is foolishness. How do you set your sights on an enemy with the goal of annihilation and maintain a gentle attitude? You don't...but the physical is not the enemy. The physical can be pawns of the enemy; but not the enemy.
Just as in treating a fierce disease, one aggressively attacks the illness always keeping the patient's well-being in mind. You don't kill the patient in order to wipe out the sickness. The survival of the patient, the life of the sick one is the whole point. That's the triumph.
A warrior is to be gentle. Very encouraging news to one who is much more gentle than warrior-like. So, in perseverance and righteousness, train for battle and be gentle, aspire to godliness, being faithful and loving so I can fight the good fight of faith.
Oh Mighty God of War and Victory, I praise You for ordering gentleness as a soldier's quality. I love You more that You esteem tenderness as a worthy characteristic in the life of ministry. Only You, only You. Please teach me in the ways of Your wisdom to properly steward gentleness, righteousness, godliness, faith, love and perseverance.
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