Above the Sun: Gentleness brings so many good things

by Barrett Vanlandingham

March 8, 2020

            The term “gentle” is used as a compliment to describe someone who just seems nice. They are mannerly. Everybody likes this person because they could easily command more attention, but choose to let others shine. A gentle person looks out for others’ comfort and well-being, and puts self-interests aside.

            Gentleness is the 8^th of nine qualities Paul lists in the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23. Those nine qualities are those things we as Christians are to apply to our daily lives as we “live by the Spirit” and strive to “keep in step with the Spirit” (5:25).

            To me, gentleness is one of the most difficult spiritual qualities simply because there are so many things that happen in the course of a day that tempt us to behave otherwise. Gentleness is marked with meekness, patience, kindness, compassion, tenderness, and sweetness. One who has a gentle spirit is not to be confused with someone who is weak. On the contrary, it takes tremendous strength to exhibit gentleness, especially under stressful conditions.

            When my dad opened the Sonic in Tahlequah in the late 60’s I spent many years watching him train new employees. He would stand next to them as long as it took to make sure they made the hotdog, cooked the hamburger, or dressed out the bun exactly like he trained them. He made sure there were no droplets of pop on the side of the drink cup before it went out to the customer. Over and over, he gently but firmly instructed new employees.

            Jesus is the greatest example of gentleness. He said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke up on you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

            We all benefit from God’s gentleness when we look in the right places. The problem is that sometimes we look for comfort in the wrong places. Just today, I saw a big rant on Facebook that started with one true, but controversial statement. One by one, people began to fan the flames of discontent and anger. It’s safe to say that no one exhibited gentleness and no one appeared to be comforted. The reason is because they were taking their complaint to social media instead of talking to God about it. He is the one who can change hearts. His gentleness is backed by truth and love. Those who go to Him find peace and comfort.

            Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Faithfulness is essential to the Christian life

by Barrett Vanlandingham

March 1, 2020

            Lisa told me a story about when she was a young girl and her dad told her she could go to her friend’s house for a birthday party if she cleaned her room. Well, she piddled around and did not hold up her end of the deal. So, when it was time for the birthday party, Lisa’s dad did not allow her to go because she had not cleaned her room. To this day, Lisa’s dad is a man of his word. He means what he says.

            It is a high compliment when someone makes the statement: “He means what he says” or when someone says “If he says he will do it, he will do it.”  Descriptions like these indicate that a person is known for their loyalty and dependability. The Bible uses the word “faithfulness” when someone exhibits these kinds of endearing qualities.

            Faithfulness is the 7^th of the nine qualities Paul lists in the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23. Paul is saying here that God’s Holy Spirit is faithful to us, and Christians must be faithful to God as we profess to “live by the Spirit” (5:25).

            In a marriage ceremony, the bride and groom often utter the phrase “and to be faithful to you alone as long as we both shall live” in their most sacred vows to each other. And while about 50-percent of married couples break the promise of faithfulness and dissolve their marriages, Jesus Christ is ALWAYS faithful. He NEVER breaks His vow to us, His bride.

            Christians who’ve been clothed with Christ in baptism (Galatians 3:27) are added to His church (Acts 2:38, 41, 47) and can now walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-5), united with Christ as His bride (Ephesians 3:25-27, 2 Corinthians 11:2, John 3:27-30, and Matthew 25:1-13).

            In this bride and groom relationship we have with Christ, we submit to being fully transparent. We know and love Him, and He knows and loves us (Galatians 4:9, 1 Corinthians 8:3). He protects, defends, and grants us an inheritance. We no longer see ourselves as being our own, but instead, we are His because He paid the price for us. We live our lives to mirror the faithfulness we see in Him. We are faithful to God, and we as Christians faithfully support one another as we daily fight a spiritual war against the forces of darkness, and look forward to “the crown of life” bestowed on those the Lord finds faithful when He returns (Revelation 2:10).

            Have a great week!

Above the Sun: For Goodness Sake

by Barrett Vanlandingham

February 23, 2020

            With the possible exception of a grading scale that includes superior, good, and average, the word “good” far outweighs the words great, awesome, amazing, incredible, or any other words used to describe how you feel about something or someone.

            If I say someone is “just good to the bone,” or “this coffee is so good,” or someone is “a good teammate,” or when I refer to my wife as a “good woman,” or when I say “that was a good steak dinner,” or my friend Dan is “just a good man,” there are several other highly complimentary qualities that are implied.

            Good is not just that level of accomplishment you find that’s less than perfect and better than average. The word “good” is in a league of its own because it just seems to embody so many other qualities that would be left out if you used another word.

            Goodness is the 6^th of the nine qualities Paul lists in the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23. Goodness is one of a very few words that the apostle and inspired writer could think of to describe God the Spirit. When Paul says we as Christians are to live by the Spirit (5:25), he is implying that we are to be known by those nine special qualities including goodness.

            What a wonderful world it would be if everyone strove to simply be good. This means good to everyone: your neighbor, spouse and kids, the barista who makes your coffee, your co-workers, the employee behind the customer service counter, and good to yourself.

            You’ve heard the saying “Two wrongs don’t make a right.” Paul addressed this in the first century when he told the early church that goodness overcomes evil (Ephesians 12:21). Remember, if you are around someone who is in a mood, that is precisely the time when your goodness needs to come out the most. When someone is at their wits’ end, or when someone is struggling in any way, the quality of goodness modeled by you in that situation could make all the difference in what happens next, and also how that person views those who profess to honor God with our lives.

            Goodness is one of the ways we practice agape’ or the kind of love that seeks another’s highest good. Goodness is one of the traits of someone who has admirable character, that person who does the right thing even when no one knows about it.

            Paul told the Galatians to “Do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (6:10). Our challenge here is to model goodness in a way that makes everyone we meet want to become part of the family of believers. Being a witness for Christ not only involves knowing our Bibles, but applying God’s word in our daily lives in a way that others will see God’s goodness through us.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Try a little kindness

by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 16, 2020

            I remember feeling a little embarrassed the first time a friend told me to “be kind” while I was speaking harshly about another friend who had made me angry. My embarrassment had nothing to do with the truths I was stating about the person I was upset with. It had everything to do with my bad attitude, my choice of words, my tone, and even my body language. I had been caught red handed being a mean-spirited “Christian,” and just felt horrible about it. Even though I am in my 50’s now, and was a young man when that conversation took place, it was a much-needed eye opener that has stuck in my head ever since.

            Kindness is the 5^th out of nine qualities of the Holy Spirit listed by the apostle Paul in Galatians 5:22-23. God the Holy Spirit is on equals with God the Father and God the Son. Out of all of the good things that could be said about the Godhead or the Trinity, kindness is right there in the middle of what Paul refers to as the “fruit of the Spirit.” It’s sort of like the hall of fame for descriptive words that people who are following God want incorporate into their lives. Paul uses the phrase “keeping in step with the Spirit.” Kindness is one of those steps we should always strive for.

            One time a young minister contacted me distraught because an older gentleman told him he was not a good listener. The man began to speak in disrespectful tones. He accused the young minister of just nodding his head like a “bobblehead” while listening to several chaperons arguing their opinions to the young minister about an argument that had flared-up among some kids during a youth event. The man based his opinion on the fact that the young minister did not immediately act on the statements he was hearing. In reality the young minister was using his Spiritual gifts of wisdom and discernment to make sure he did not act in haste and cause an already bad situation to become even worse. He was trying gather all the facts he needed before deciding what to do next, especially since there were conflicting sides to the story.

            We all make mistakes. And we all appreciate kindness and being given the benefit of the doubt. But we often forget this principle when the shoe is on the other foot.

            “29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:29-32).

            Have a great week!