You're the Only Jesus Some Will Ever See

624 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 1Ti 3:3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle,” Next on the list of pastoral qualifications is the pastor must be gentle. There is not one good English equivalent to this word in the Greek. It is an amazing word which has been translated as gentle, patient, considerate, and some say, “yieldingness.” Luther put it this way: “Ever filled with joy and happiness in all heavenly blessings that are ours, anything like rigorousness must be foreign to us, sweet gentleness, considerateness.” I have met such pastors and people and the best description I can come up with is they “ooze Jesus.” To be sure, we are all a work in progress but what a wonderful standard to shoot for as we “yield” to the Holy Spirit, who seeks to grow this trait in all of us. This “yieldingness must ever emanate from us so that all men with whom we come in contact with may get to realize, feel, and appreciate it! This trait is mentioned as vital for the Christian in Php 4:5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. As we “watch and pray” waiting for the Lord's return, (He is at hand!) let us remember this trait as an evangelism tool that may lead others to Christ. One could see how very important this trait would be for the pastor's of these early churches. They would need to be gentle and considerate of the backgrounds of all these new converts and with this kind of love lead them into the new lifestyle of the followers of Christ. So let you and I ever seek to be the fragrance of Christ to a sin stenched world. I am reminded of a Gordon Jensen song that came out years ago called “You're the Only Jesus.” The chorus went like this: You're the only Jesus some will ever see. And you're the only words of life some will ever read. So let them see in you the One in whom is all they ever need. 'Cause you're the only Jesus, some will ever see.” Oh Jesus, help me to be an attract rather than repulse.