Show What is Inside

DEVOTION

PHILIPPIANS

SHOW WHAT IS INSIDE


Phil 4:4-5

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
NIV


It appears in most of my thinking I should not be a show off. That is I should certainly not be a boastful, proud person, expounding on my own virtues, talents and abilities. This I certainly wholeheartedly agree with. However, I find it somewhat disserting that I am commanded in this passage to be a show off. That is right; I am to let my gentleness be evident to all. The simple fact that all people should see my gentleness implies within itself I should allow this trait, this virtue, this characteristic of God to shine as a city on a hilltop, visible to all. Now of course that also implies that I must be gentle. This is not something I can pretend to be. This is not something I can put a false front on, for gentleness stems from a condition of the heart. It is said so much clearer by God himself.

Luke 6:45
45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
NIV

And how can I be gentle without the help of my almighty Father who is in heaven? How can I be a show off without Him? Ah yes, that is it, the Lord is near. The answer is right there, I can because He is near.