What You're Known For (Friday Devotional)

“Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”

- Philippians 4:5

When Lindsey and I travel, one of our favorite things to do is eat the city’s signature dish. Whether we’re savoring cheesesteaks in Philadelphia, lobster rolls in Boston, or deep dish pizza in Chicago, there’s something about this exercise that makes us feel connected to the city, almost like we understand it better after trying their food than we did before. After all, those dishes are more than just food to their respective cities—they’re part of their identities. As much as any landmark, event, or sports team, those foods are what people know their cities for.

What do people know you for? The answer could be your looks, your intelligence, your career, your family—any number of things, really. But Paul, closing out his encouraging letter to the church in Philippi, made clear what every Christian should strive to be known for: gentleness.

This may seem an odd thing for the apostle to build the Christian identity around. If you were choosing one thing for people to associate your faith with, there are an abundance of other options, from your doctrine to your acts of service to your personal testimony. But trusting that the Lord was near, Paul said gentleness was to be “known to everyone” as the mark of your faith in Christ.

Perhaps this is because gentleness was one of the most distinguishing features of Jesus’s own life and ministry. Whether he was welcoming little children, extending a healing touch to lepers, or pardoning the sins of prostitutes, Jesus was always reaching out in kindness to those who needed it. Though renowned far and wide for his teaching and his miracles, those who personally encountered him remembered his compassion the most.

As you seek to live more like Jesus, ask yourself whether you’re known to everyone for having Christlike gentleness. When you’re criticized, do you counterpunch or look for a peaceful resolution? When you encounter someone with beliefs that are antagonistic to yours, is your instinct to belittle them or to listen? When you’re in a position of authority, do you rule with an iron fist or an outstretched hand?

If you proudly proclaim yourself to be a Christian, then unbelievers will look to you to determine what being a Christian means, for good or ill. You’re going to be known for something—with the Spirit’s help, may you be known for the gentle, compassionate love of Christ.