DEAL GENTLY
Hebrews 5:1-3 NKJV
1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. 3 Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins.
The book of Hebrews contains many great truths. The book is also a comparison of Christianity and Judaism. The author, some think it was Paul, others disagree, we’ll find out in heaven, is comparing Jesus and the Judaic system. This chapter deals with the office of the High Priest.
The Judaic system had High Priests who were chosen from among men. These High Priests were designated to offer sacrifices to cover the sins of the people. But because the High Priests dealt with the same weaknesses and sins as the people they represented, these High Priests had to offer sacrifices to cover their own sins as well. For the next few chapters, Hebrews goes into detail about Jesus being our High Priest. Not only is He a better High Priest, but He offered Himself as a sacrifice. More on that later.
What struck me today was the phrase, “He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray.” The NLT says that “he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses.” Have compassion is better translated, deal gently with, and that spoke to me.
Because we are all subject to the same weaknesses, we need to deal gently with people. This devotional is a classic example of how the Holy Spirit can take a verse or a passage and give insight into an area that seems almost out of context. Remember though, that God’s Word is alive and powerful and has so many dimensions that we’ll not exhaust the wisdom and light contained in these inspired words. This is why we stay open and always willing to learn and grow.
We all, and especially those of us who preach and teach, need to deal gently with people. We all must remember that we have areas where we are weaker. We don’t give into the weaknesses; we resist them and lay them aside so they don’t hinder our walk. But even if we have gained some level of victory in an area, we have to give the credit and glory to God instead of acting as if we have accomplished victory on our own.
Sadly to say, the Big C church has not excelled in this area. We too often deal harshly with people, particularly if they are struggling in an area that does not affect us to the same degree. But remember all of us have our areas that give us trouble. So we deal gently with others so we don’t trip up with pride. Galatians 6:1 is a template for dealing with people gently. “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” The NLT version of the same verse says, “Dear brothers and sisters, if some sin overcomes another believer, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” The idea is that we gently and humbly restore and help someone get on the right path. And we also need to be aware in helping someone else, that we don’t give into temptation ourselves.
The Lord has helped us and dealt gently with us. We must do the same with our fellow believers who come across our path. And, as it pertains to those outside of the Body of Christ, we must treat them gently also. Paul, in writing to Titus in Titus 3:1-3 encouraged him to remind the believers to speak evil of no one and be peaceable, gentle, and humble to all. The key reason is that we all were once foolish, disobedient, and deceived. It was the kindness and the love of God that pulled us out of our darkened state. We did not arrive there on our own. This is not an easy task, especially as people in the world spout their deceived viewpoints and treat us with contempt. But how many of us were at some point in the same condition?
God’s compassion and grace have impacted our lives, and now we are His ambassadors, showing gentleness and grace to those who are our family in Christ and those who sit in darkness.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for delivering me from darkness and sin. Thank You, it was Your compassion and grace, not my efforts. I purpose to deal gently with those who cross my path.