5. GENTLE KINDNESS. "Chrestotes." Strong.5544.

1. "CHRESTOTES" SPEAKS OF A HAPPY MELLOW CHRISTIAN SWEETNESS.
a. "Chrestotes" is a quality of character that fallen mankind does not possess.
In Rom.3v12., Paul writes that all of mankind has become worthless, and there is none that does good, no not one. "Good" is "chrestotes." This fruit of the Spirit is now available to mankind in salvation, through the Holy Spirit's abiding presence.

b. "Chrestotes" speaks of a kind, gentle, gracious and mellow disposition.
In the Authorised Version the noun "chrestotes" is translated as "gentleness" in Gal.5v22.; as "goodness," in Rom.2v4. 11v22. three times; "good," in Rom.3v12.; and "kindness," in 2Cor.6v6. Eph.2v7. Col.3v12. and Titus.3v4..

c. "Chrestotes speaks of a spiritual sweetness.
It is a kind, sweet, and gentle goodness, and a gentle forgiving kindness. The adjective "chrestos" is used for the sweetness and mellowness of old wine in Lk.5v39. It is the very opposite of a sour, harsh, and irritable disposition; it speaks of a calm, sweet, and sunny disposition. Knowing Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit, produces in us kindness, and sweetens the temper. A religion that is sour, morose, sullen and miserable is a denial of Christianity. Be sweet, gentle and kind at home.

d. "Chrestotes" is an essential quality for Christians and Christian leaders.
In 2Cor.6v6., Paul said the "chrestotes" was one of the qualities of character that brought the approval of God on his ministry. See. 2Cor.6v4-6. "Chrestotes" is one of the virtues we must cloth ourselves with. In Col.3v12., Paul exhorts Christians to put off the old nature, and put on this forgiving gentle kindness. See Col.3v7-14. N.B. v7,9,10,12,14.

2. "CHRESTOTES" SPEAKS OF THE KINDNESS AND GENTLENESS OF GOD.

a. God's wonderful unmerited kindness.
"Chrestotes" speaks of kindness even to, and especially to, those who don't deserve it. Lk.6v35. God is kind, "chrestos," to the ungrateful, selfish, and wicked. Jesus tells us that our Heavenly Father is very kind, and gives without any thought of reward or recompense. Mt.5v43 -48. In the Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament, "good" is translated by the adjective "chrestos," Ps.25v8. 34v8. 86v5. (forgiving goodness): 100v5. 106v1. 107v1. 136v1. etc.: and "goodness," by the noun "chrestotes." Ps.24v7. 68v10. God's goodness prepares for the poor: N.B. Ps.145v7-9. God's is abundant in goodness, "chrestotes," and is longsuffering, full of compassion, grace and great mercy; He is good, "chrestos," to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. All His works praise Him. Both "chrestos" and "chrestotes" occur in praise of God's great mercy, forgiving kindness and gentle goodness. Even God's judgements are good and spring from His kindness. Ps.119v39.

b. God's continuous kindness in His efforts to lead to repentance and salvation.
In Rom.2v4., Paul informs us of the riches of God's kind and gentle goodness, "chrestotes," that has always tried to lead men to repentance and eternal life; men turn this down, not realising that it is the goodness, "chrestos," of God that leads them to repentance. In Rom.11v22., Paul tells us that the merciful goodness of God precedes His severity. In Titus.3v4. N.B.v3-7., Paul writes of the wonderful kindness and gentle giving goodness of God in sending Jesus to die for us.

c. God the Father's and Christ's gentle yoke.
The adjective "chrestos" is used for the gentleness with which Christ deals with us; He gives us a gentle yoke. Christ's service is not tyrannical, Christ perfectly fits the task that He gives us to our abilities, temperament, and circumstances.

d. God's kindness and thoughtfulness to women.
Under the Law God protected women, and He severely warns husbands not to deal treacherously with the wife of their youth. Mal.2v14-17. See the kind and gentle way Jesus raised the widow of Nain's son from the dead. Lk.7v11-15.

3. THE GENTLE KINDNESS AND FRIENDSHIP OF JESUS TO SINNERS.

a. Christ promises gentle kindness to all who are heavy laden and needy. Mt.11v28-30.
Our Lord's welcoming gentle kindness transformed needy and sinful people who met Him. People knew that Jesus really cared for them, the warmth of His love and His kindness was a tangible reality, it enveloped them when they came to Him. Jesus gave them a real welcome. If we have failed in our marriages, Jesus will still be kind and gentle with us. Come to Him with confidence.

b. The friend of tax collectors and sinners. Mt.11v19.
Jesus got badly criticised for being friendly with tax collectors and sinners, He told three parables to show God's kindness to sinners. Lk.15v1-32. Jesus did not count the cost to bring Zacchaeus into the kingdom. Lk.19v1-10.

c. The woman at the well, and the woman taken in adultery. Jn.4v1-29. 8v1-11.
The gentle kindness and forgiving love of Jesus is beautiful to see. There was no Hell fire preaching, there was not condemnation, only a beautiful welcome into God's gentle and kind-hearted forgiveness.

d. The whole attitude of Christ to His Church is one of tender-hearted forgiveness.
Paul tells us in Eph.4v32. "And be ye kind, "chrestos," one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." "Tender-hearted is "eusplagchnoi," literally, "having healthy bowels," or, "of good heartedness," from "eu," "well," and "splagchnon;" "the heart, the inward organs;" these were considered to be the seat of emotions and intentions, and means "compassionate tenderness." It only occurs in Eph4v32. and 1Pet.3v8., where Peter appeals for the fruit of the Spirit to be manifested.

In James.5v11., James speaks from his experience of living with Jesus at Nazareth, he extols the gentle kindness of Jesus, he says, "Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." ""Very pitiful," is "polusplagchnos," (only here in N.T.), from "polus," "much," and "splanchnon," "the heart;" it means "very kind, very sympathetic, extremely compassionate;" Jesus is very kind, and really feels for us. "Tender mercy," is "oiktirmon," a strong adjective meaning "tender compassion and mercy." "Oiktirmon" only occurs in James.5v11. and twice in Luke.6v36., where Jesus appeals to us to show the same tender mercy to others that God shows to His creation. What a lovely picture of the wonderful gentle kindness of Jesus and our heavenly Father.

4. OUR LORD'S GENTLE KINDNESS TO HIS APOSTLES.
Jesus was kind and gentle to His apostles when they were slow to answer His call to service. Lk.5v1-11. He was also kindness itself in the development of their ministries. When Jesus repeated Mt.11v28-30. to His apostles, it was for them, He was telling them that He would put a gentle and kind yoke upon them and not overburden them, and he would give them rest to their souls.

Jesus showed His gentle kindness to the apostles in their unbelief and failure, He prayed for His apostles BEFORE these failures occurred. e.g. Peter's denial of Christ. Lk.22v30-34. Jesus had called them His friends and His forgiving gentle love proved the truth of His friendship. Jn.15v13-15. This kindness to failures was again shown in His resurrection ministry to His apostles, He showed kind and forgiving mercy, "eleos," to the disciples who forsook Him, and failed Him. Lk.10v25-37.

CONCLUSION. The following hymn was written by Frederick William Faber, who lived from A. D. 1814 to 1863, and he expresses beautifully the sheer loveliness of the gentle kindness and love of our heavenly Father and Saviour, and the blindness and stupidity of the world and Church in failing to comprehend the inexhaustible fullness of their love.

1. Souls of men, why will ye scatter
Like a crowd of frightened sheep?
Foolish hearts, why will ye wander
from a love so true and deep?

2. Was there ever kinder Shepherd
Half so gentle, half so sweet,
As the Saviour who would have us
Come and gather round His feet?

3. There's a wideness in God's mercy
Like the wideness of the sea:
There's a kindness in His justice
Which is more than liberty.

4. There is welcome for the sinner,
And more graces for the good
There is mercy with the Saviour;
There is healing in His blood.

5. There is plentiful redemption
In the blood that has been shed;
There is joy for all the members
In the sorrows of the Head.

6. For the love of God is broader
Than the measure of man's mind,
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind.

7. But we make His love too narrow
By false standards of our own;
And we magnify His strictness
With a zeal He will not own.

8. If our love were but more simple.
We should take Him at His word,
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord.

6. GENEROUS GOODNESS. "Agathosune." Strong 19.
The meaning of "agathosune" has been under a great deal of discussion.

1. THE DEFINITION OF THE MEANING OF "AGATHOSUNE."
a. "Agathosune" is not a common word.
The other eight fruit of the Spirit are easily defined, however, "agathosune is not a common word, its limited use makes it more difficult to define. "Agathosune," is not used in early secular Greek writings and only occurs in late Greek, and only 13 to 16 times in the Septuagint, depending on the manuscripts. Judg.8v35. 9v16. Neh.9v25,35. etc. "Agathos," good, is used extensively, "agathosune" only occurs four times in the New Testament, in Rom.15v14. Gal.5v22. Eph.5v9. and 2Thes.1v11..

Rom.15v13,14.. Paul gives the benediction in v13., "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost." Then he goes on to say in v14., that he was persuaded that the Romans were "full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another."

Gal5v22. "The fruit of the Spirit is goodness." Eph.5v9. "For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth."

2Thes.1v11,12.. v11. "Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power: v12. That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." The desires of God's goodness are always "infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams." Eph.3v20. God's tremendous desires to bless us spring out of His unlimited giving goodness and love.

b. The wide usage of the adjective "agathos," "good," does not help to define "agathosune."
The noun "agathosune," "goodness," is the moral quality described by the adjective "agathos," "good." "Agathos" is the most common Greek word for "good;" it occurs over 500 times in the Septuagint, and 102 times in the N.T.; it is used of physical things, like a good tree, Mt.7v17.; good ground, Lk.8v8., or a good harvest. Lk.13v8. "Agathos" can also be used in a moral sense of good persons and good things; a good man, good thoughts, good words and good deeds, and a resulting good conscience. Mt.12v34-37. Lk.6v45. Acts.23v1. 1Tim.1v5,19. Every good and perfect gift finds its origin in God, James.1v17. Lk.11v13. God alone is perfectly good, and it is only in the light of His character, that the standard and true meaning of "agathosune" goodness is revealed. Mt.19v17. The character of God reveals the fullness and beauty of the moral qualities described by "agathos" and "agathosune."

c. The heathen's views about "good" and "goodness" are no help in defining "agathosune."
As with the other fruit of the Spirit, the heathen views about "good" and "goodness" are no guide to the use of "agathos" and "agathosune," for their ideas of "the good" are far from the Biblical ideas of goodness. The secular Greek philosophers looked upon anything which gave meaning to life as good; their concept of "the good" was speculative, humanistic and depraved. Their statements, that knowing what was good would ensure the doing of the good, are contradicted by their writings which reveal the domination of the worst sins of the flesh in their lives. The Biblical concept of victory over the flesh and a life of "good" and "goodness" flowing from communion with the true and living God was unknown to the heathen. The heathens idea of "good" was pleasing the flesh and the gods, and this involved the worst levels of debauchery.

d. Christian scholars themselves vary in the meaning of "agathosune."
When Jerome and Trench compare "chrestotes," "kindness," with "agathosune," "goodness;" they say "chrestotes" speaks of gentle and gracious kindness and the kindlier aspects of goodness; as when Jesus dealt gently with the sinner of Lk.7v37-50.; and say "agathosune" speaks of moral judgement, and zeal for goodness, and the sterner qualities of goodness, such as rebuking, correcting and chastening; as when Jesus cleansed the Temple, or condemned Israel's religious leaders and threatened them with Divine judgement. Mt.21v13. 23v1-39. It is true that "agathosune" must speak of moral judgement and zeal for goodness, but the sterner qualities of goodness, seem to speak more of justice, "dikaiosune," than "agathosune."

Lightfoot agrees that "chrestotes" speaks of a kindly quality of heart, emotion and disposition towards others, that does not necessarily take a practical form; and states that "agathosune," speaks of a quality of conduct and an active and energetic principle of life that results in kindly activity towards people. Lightfoot's concludes that, "Chrestotes" is potential "agathosune," "agathosune" is energising "chrestotes." Barclay however, says , "On this basis we might say that "agathosune" is "chrestotes" in action. It is an attractive idea, but in point of fact there is no actual evidence that the words are so distinguished in use." Barclay, however, agrees with Lightfoot's comment that "agathosune" speaks of kindly activity towards people, for Barclay says, "Agathosune is the generosity which springs from a heart which is kind." Bloomfield agrees with this, he writes, "By "chrestotes" is denoted benignity, affability; by "agathosune," that kind-heartedness which delights in doing good."

The Expositors Greek Testament states on Gal.5v22., "Since the object of this verse is to exhibit the harmony between the fruit of the Spirit and the restraints of the Law, those qualities only are specified which affect man's duty to his neighbour. "Love" with its unfailing attendants, inward "joy" and "peace," supplies the motive power; "long-suffering" in the face of wrongs and ill-treatment, "kindness" in rendering service to others, and "goodness" in the free bestowal of bounty on those who need, cannot fail to gain good will."

It seems, then, that "chrestotes" is an abundant forgiving kindness and gentleness, and "agathosune" speaks not only of moral rectitude, but also of an abundant generous giving goodness. Goodness is not being sanctimonious, or a negative "thou shalt not" attitude; it is an attractive generous attribute of character that gives until it hurts; just as God gave His only begotten Son to suffer and die for us, to save a sinful evil world. Jn.3v16. In giving Jesus to us, God's unspeakable gift, the fullness of God's giving goodness is revealed. 2Cor.8v9. 9v15.

2. "AGATHOSUNE" DESCRIBES GOD'S GENEROUS GIVING GOODNESS.

a. "Agathosune," is the giving goodness that gives to people what they do not deserve.
"Agathosune" goes further than justice, "dikaiosune," which gives men their due. When the Scriptures say that God is good, they do not just mean that He behaves properly, they mean that He gives generously and abundantly, infinitely beyond all that we can ask, think, desire, or dream. Eph.3v20. God's goodness is a goodness that is beautiful, warm, generous and kind. God is actively and eternally being and doing good. "Agathosune" speaks of a beautiful and attractive benevolent goodness; like "toob," the Hebrew word for goodness, which in Neh.9v35. speaks of God's beautiful and great generous goodness.

b. "Agathos" is the opposite of "poneros."
Agathos" speaks of active goodness, the very opposite of "poneros," which is active corrupting evil. In reference to Satan, "ho Poneros," "the Wicked One," "poneros" speaks both of the active corrupting evil and the grudging meanness, that his character and actions display. See Sept. of Deut.15v9. Prov.23v6. 28v22.. God is even good to evil people; in Mt.5v45., Jesus tells us that God makes His sun shine on the evil, "poneros," and the good, "agathos." In Mt.20v16., "agathos" is used to speak of God's generous giving of rewards to the labourers on judgement day; "Is your eye evil, ("poneros"), because I am good, ("agathos")."

c. "Agathos" speaks both of an active transforming goodness as well as a generous giving goodness.
"God's goodness is not content until we are changed into His likeness; it is an uplifting goodness, that is actively transforming Christians and conforming them into the image of Christ. Rom.8v28-30. In reference to God, "agathos" speaks both of the active transforming goodness and the generous giving goodness, that is manifested in His character and His acts.

d. The cost of God's great giving goodness. God's giving goodness has meant:
1. God having to work day and night for ever; an awesome eternal responsibility.
2. God experiencing awful and continuous suffering.
3. Jesus suffering and dying, and going to Hades for us.

3. "AGATHOSUNE" INCLUDES PURITY, THE BEING AND DOING OF GOOD.

a. Goodness manifests itself in purity and integrity.
Goodness involves being good, as well as doing good. Integrity is always a part of goodness, like Job, who was a perfect man, "tam" a man of integrity. Job.1v1,8.2v3. Jacob too was a person of integrity, an upright man, for in Gen.25v27., "plain" is also "tam," "a person of integrity." Job's integrity consisted of fearing God and hating evil. Loving a good God, and keeping the heart pure are both essential parts of true goodness, for it is the pure in heart who will see God. Prov.4v23. Mt.5v8. Trees are known by their fruit, a good person brings forth good fruit, and a good person brings forth good treasure out of their heart, in both words and works. Mt.7v15-20. 12v33-37. Goodness acts as both salt and light to the world. Mt.5v13-16.

b. Goodness manifests itself in generous giving goodness and encouragement.
Barnabus, the son of encouragement, was a good "agathos," man, as well as full of the Holy Ghost and faith. Acts.11v24. His real name was Joseph, but he was renamed "Barnabus," "the son of encouragement." Acts.4v36,37. Barnabus encouraged and brought on the ministry of Paul, his welcoming kindly goodness brought Paul in from out of the cold, and opened doors of ministry for him at Jerusalem and Antioch; and later into full apostolic ministry. Acts.9v26,27. 11v24-26. 13v1-4. Barnabus stood by Mark when Paul rejected him, and developed his ministry. later Paul accepted Mark. Acts.15v36-39. 2Tim.4v11.

Barnabus manifested warm compassionate sacrificial giving love; he sold lands to meet the needs of the poor at Jerusalem. Acts.4v37. Joseph of Arimathaea was a good and just man, he gave Jesus his own new tomb. Lk.23v50-53. Mt.27v57-60. God's warm and compassionate giving of Himself leaves all of Heaven breathless with amazement. God acts are not only just, He is great in His giving goodness, He magnificently out-gives all of His creation. At tremendous cost to Himself He gave us life and being, forgiveness and salvation, and eternal life and heaven, and above all Himself, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

It was not just the righteous of Jesus that made the demons call Him "The Holy One of God." Christ's goodness was manifested in His incredible sacrificial giving and devotion to His creation. Holiness is sacrificial goodness in action, love in uniform. The giving goodness of God is a blazing light that the demons and wicked men cannot stand. Mk.1v24 It was not only our Lord's purity that the demons could not stand, but the giving goodness of His life that condemned their greed and selfishness. Christ's zeal for God and righteousness caused the people at Nazareth, and His other enemies to resist and oppose Him.Ps.69v7-12.

CONCLUSION. Only God is truly "agathos," good, and exercises the ultimate in giving goodness, "agathosune." Lk.18v19. We can partake of His character and goodness by the power and presence of the Spirit. Rom.8v1-4. We can be transfigured by beholding His glory. 2Cor.3v18. Those who do not have the Spirit of Christ are none of His. Rom.8v5-9. The life of goodness, results in obedience to the truth, and in doing the Father's generous and loving will as revealed in the life of Jesus.


7. FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS. "Pistis." Strong 4102.
The verb "pisteuo," means to trust someone, or something. The noun "pistis," means persuasion, credence, faith. In the Authorised Version. "pistis" is translated as, "assurance," once, in Acts.17v31.; "belief," once, in 2Thes.2v13.; "fidelity," once, in Titus.2v10.; and "faith," 239 times. It is obvious, therefore, that it is quite wrong to say that Paul is speaking only of faithfulness in Gal.5v22.. Faith is one of the qualities of character that will eternally abide with love. Trust in God and each other is an absolutely essential part of the happiness and security of heaven. The fruit of faith is the extension of "saving faith," to faith in God in all other areas of our life; through walking with God. Faith is the basis of our walk with God, both on earth, and in heaven.

Do our modern translators lack the faith to trust God in the problems of life, and for miracles and healing? Is this why they prefer to translate "pistis" as "faithfulness," rather than "faith" in Gal.5v22.?" The verbal adjective "pistos," is translated, in the passive, as faithful, trustworthy, reliable, "God is faithful," Col.1v9.; in the active, as "believing, trusting." Surely in Gal.5v22., "pistis," can be interpreted, in both its active sense as "faith," and its passive sense as "faithfulness." In the Septuagint "pistis" is used both for faith and faithfulness; "Great is Thy faithfulness." Lam.3v23. "No faith." Deut.32v20.

1. FAITH IS THE ACTIVE PRINCIPLE IN RECEIVING SALVATION.
We are justified by faith, and have peace with God through faith. Rom.1v17. 3v21-31. 5v1,2. Gal.3v24. Saving faith is produced by a divine quickening of the human spirit, it is the gift of God. Eph.2v8,9. The end of faith is the salvation of our souls. 1Pet.1v5,9. Through our quickened spirits, the new birth, we have the ability to grow in faith.

2. FAITH IS THE ACTIVE PRINCIPLE IN SERVICE.

a. Faith to move mountains. Mt.17v20,21.
We read of the heroes of faith in Hebrews eleven, "by faith" occurs 13 times, this was their secret of victory and endurance.
"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Acts.6v8., in the Majority Text. Barnabus was full of the Holy Ghost and faith. Acts.11v24. Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father. 1Thes.1v3.

b. The unbelief that can stop us entering our spiritual Canaan.
This speaks of the believer who fails to claim their inheritance in Heb.3 and 4.; and fails to trust God for the miraculous. Ps.95. all. An evil heart of unbelief caused Israel to depart from the God. Heb.3v12.

c. The wonderful faith of Jesus, the pioneer of faith and perfecter of our faith. Heb.12v2.
Jesus did His miracles by faith in the Father. Jn.5v19,30. He pioneered and showed us the way of faith.

N.B. THE GROWTH OF FAITH AND SPIRITUAL STRENGTH.
Even men of God had to develop faith, power and strength of spirit. Elijah and Elisha. John Baptist. Lk.1v80. Even our Lord grew strong in spirit. Lk.2v40. All believers grow from faith to faith. Rom.1v17.

3. FAITH IS THE ACTIVE PRINCIPLE IN DISCERNING DOCTRINAL TRUTH.
Sound in faith. Titus.1v13. In Acts.6v7., A great number of priests were obedient to the faith. See 1Tim.1v15., This is a faithful saying, "pistos logos," and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Compare 2Thes.2v12., That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

4. FAITH IS THE ACTIVE PRINCIPLE BEHIND A TRUSTWORTHY LIFE.

a. Faithfulness in daily living.

In the home. Correct relationships between wives, husbands, and children. Eph.5v22-25. Col.3v18-20. Mal.2v14-17.

In our work situations. Col.3v17,23,24. Whatever we do, we do it in the name of the Lord and heartily as unto the Lord, and not unto men, for we serve the Lord Christ.

In our friendships. True friends are faithful to us in our difficulties. Prov.17v17. "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Prov.18v24. "There is a friend that sticks closes than a brother." Prov.19v4.

b. Faithfulness in evangelism and ministry to the body of Christ.
Paul informs us that Jesus counted Paul him as faithful and put him into the ministry; a former blasphemer and persecutor obtained mercy and ministry, to show a pattern of God's longsuffering mercy to encourage others. 1Tim.1v12-17. In 2Tim.2v2. Paul tells Timothy to teach the truths he taught him to faithful men who were able to teach others.

5. THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD IS OUR SOURCE OF SECURITY, AND REASON FOR OUR FAITH.

a. God is faithful to us and will keep all His promises to us.
The Scriptures declare that God is faithful. He will not allow us to be tempted more than we can stand, but will make a way of escape for us. 1Cor.1v8,9. 10v13. God's promises are yea and amen in Christ. 2Cor.1v19,20. God can preserve our whole body, soul and spirit blameless, until the return of Jesus. He is faithful that promised. 1Thes.5v23,24. 2Thes.2v3.

b. Christ is the faithful and true witness. Jesus is The Faithful Witness. Rev.1v5. Jesus was the faithful and true witness to the Church at Laodicea, He told the Christians there the truth about their spiritual condition. Rev3v14. In Rev.19v11., Jesus is called "Faithful and True" when He comes to make war with Antichrist, and destroy him and his armies.

God will faithfully fulfil ALL His prophetic promises to us, so trust Him.
God the Father states that the prophecies and promises in the book of Revelation are faithful and true. Christ's angel states the revelations to John are faithful and true and came directly from God the Father. Rev.21v5. 22v6. His promises to us are true, He will not fail us.

8. MEEKNESS. "Prautes." Strong 4236.
The noun "prautes" occurs eleven times; "praus," the adjective four times. "Prautes" speaks of the controlling power that makes strength gentle; our English words, meekness, gentleness, and humility, convey the incorrect thought of weakness. Meekness possesses great strength as well as merciful strengthening gentleness.

1. MEEKNESS POSSESSES CONTROLLED STRENGTH.

a. Moses. In Numb.12v3., we are told that Moses was the meekest man on the face of the earth; humble before God, and restrained and controlled by gentleness and humility before men. "Prautes" is used by Greeks to speak of an animal which has been broken-in and trained to obey and answer to the reins. There was no person in the world who was as strong, or more humble than Moses.

b. Jesus. Jesus is both the Lamb of God and the Lion of Judah. Rev.5v5,6. He has both gentleness and strength. His meekness is greatly misunderstood; meek does not mean weak, it is strength under control. It is gentle meekness that brings victory not arrogance.

2. A GENTLE MEEKNESS WAS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF CHRIST'S LIFE AND MINISTRY.

a. Meekness is one of the welcoming graces of Christ's character.
Zechariah prophesied, "Behold thy king cometh unto thee, meek and sitting upon an ass." Zech.9v9. Mt.21v5. Jesus said, "Come unto me for I am meek and lowly in heart." Christ is meek ("praos") and lowly ("tapeinos") in heart, and we find rest in His gentle and kind humility. Mt.11v29. Jesus does not break the bruised reed, or quench the smoking flax. Is.42v1-3. Mt.12v15-21. In 1Cor.10v1., Paul appeals to the Corinthians by "the meekness ('prautes') and gentleness ('epieikeia') of Christ. "Epieikeia" means "fair, reasonable, equitable and lenient, when applied to those in authority; and a humble, patient steadfastness, and submissive trust in God in injustice, disgrace and ill-treatment, and freedom from malice, hatred and bitterness under this abuse and mistreatment. Both are perfectly fulfilled in Christ. In the only other place where "epieikeia" occurs in the New Testament, Tertullus uses it in flattery to Felix at the trial of Paul in Acts.24v4., it this case it could not have been more inappropriate.

b. Meekness was part of Christ's dealings with broken people.
The mark of Christ's ministry was an uplifting merciful gentleness. The bruised reed He did not break, the smoking flax He did not quench, He imparted strength and purpose to broken lives. Mt.12v18-21. Jesus showed gentle tenderness to the fallen, not criticism. Jesus manifested gentle strength with the sinner, and with the sick.

We see from 1Cor.4v21., that meekness is the opposite of strict and stern justice. Paul speaks of the alternative of him coming with a rod, or in meekness and love. A fallen Christian must be aided and restored in a spirit of meekness. Gal.6v1. Power controlled by delivering gentleness.

c. Meekness was part of Christ's healing ministry.
When Jesus healed people He did not show off, in fact He often strongly commanded people not to make it known. Our Lord's gentle touch released great healing power and resulted in astonishing miracles. The man with leprosy. Mt.8v1-4. Peter's mother in Law. Mt.8v14,15. Many sick. Lk.4v40,41. The daughter of Jairus. Mt.9v18,19. The widow of Nain's son. Lk.7v11-16. All these and many more could all sing:
"He touched me, oh, He touched me; And, oh, the joy that filled my soul;
Something happened, and now I know; He touched me, and made me whole.

3. MEEKNESS POSSESSES HUMILITY OF MIND AND TEACHABLENESS OF SPIRIT.
Receive with meekness the Word of God. James.1v21.
Show meekness to all men. Titus.3v2.

4. MEEKNESS MANIFESTS CHRISTIAN GENTLENESS TO OPPONENTS.
In meekness instructing those who oppose. 2Tim.2v25.
In meekness giving a reason for the hope. 1Pet.3v15.
The wise man is always meek. James.3v13.

5. MEEKNESS BRINGS ENTRANCE INTO THE KINGDOM.
Meekness is a manifestation of one of the characteristics of God's kingdom. "Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth." Mt.5v5. Ps.37v10,11. A meek and quiet spirit is of great price in the sight of God. 1Pet.3v4.

CONCLUSION.
Let us come to Jesus, He can impart His gentle meekness to us and transform our lives, homes and marriages. Mt.11v28-30.

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