God is a Gentleman…..

I recently read the following story about being a gentleman….

Being a Gentleman In a Selfish World

More and more today we are faced with ever increasing selfishness and egotism. Everything from tee shirts to bumper stickers tout "it’s all about me, deal with it." Many have said chivalry is dead, but I disagree. So what does it mean to be a gentleman in spite of all this? Chivalry, or the act of being a gentleman, is a personal choice. It means consciously going out of your way to make others feel appreciated. Opening doors and occasionally buying flowers is but a small part of it. Being a gentleman means acting sacrificially. A gentleman gives up his seat on the bus or train for an elderly person. He knows when to simply walk away from an argument rather than having the last word. It means not having your way sometimes. Is it worth it? Consider the state of our world. If more men led by example, and practiced this behavior, where might we be? I am proud to call myself a gentleman.  (Author unknown)

Those that know me well have on many occasions heard me make the following statement, “God is a Gentleman”. He opens the door of life continually for those that will choose to walk through it. He is always working in the best interest of those that love Him and who have been called according to His purpose (meaning all born again believers). But here is the biggest reason I continually reference God as a Gentleman…… It has to do with sin. Today more and more people in the body of Christ are being exposed for their sinful behaviors. I want to use that word again, “exposed”. I believe God is a Gentleman and He gives us every opportunity as believers to confess our sins and repent before it has to be exposed to the world around us. He gave Adam and Eve the opportunity……

Genesis 3:8-10 (ESV) 

8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.”

He gave Cain the opportunity….

Genesis 4:8-9 (ESV) 

8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?”

The children of Israel were given opportunity after opportunity to confess their sin before they ended up in Babylon and the consequences of their sin exposed to the world. 

I am sharing this today because I see a pattern developing in the body of Christ over the years which is steadily on the increase. We are not acknowledging our sin when God gives us warning of it through conviction by His Holy Spirit. The reasons for this vary. For some, we are so broken in our intimacy with Him that we don’t hear that small still voice of conviction. For others, our love of self is greater than our love for God as a believer. Or it may be that we believe the lie from the enemy that God will not forgive us again for our sin. The list is endless. 

When God has to expose us the consequences are devastating not just to ourselves but to the many people in our lives. Please hear my heart in sharing this - it is not to be critical but to exhort you. I personally, as a believer, praise God that He gives me ears to hear when He has convicted and is convicting me of sin in my life. And I might add here that sometimes it isn’t about being convicted, it is about flat out knowing you are sinning but you do it anyway because you are choosing your flesh over Him. 

My point is simple, I believe our God is a ‘Gentleman’. He will open the door for you and me and is giving us every opportunity to confess our sins, to repent from things that are against His will and ways, and return to Him. But, if we won’t, He loves us so much that He will expose us! Can I share with you that the collateral damage done when we refuse to confess and repent of our sins before God brings us to the place of exposure, causing so much more damage than if we confess and return to Him of our own free will. So is God opening a door for you today as you read this blog? My dear friends, He is truly a ‘Gentleman’. Please take His hand and walk through the door.

2 Chronicles 30:8-9 (ESV) 

8 Do not now be stiff-necked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the LORD and come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever, and serve the LORD your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you. 9 For if you return to the LORD, your brothers and your children will find compassion with their captors and return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.”

Proverbs 28:13 (ESV) 

13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes 

them will obtain mercy. 

Galatians 6:1 (ESV) 

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in 

a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 

Thankful to know God as a Gentleman,

His, 

Vickie

Note: Tanzania is closing in on us and it is really exciting! We have 30 missionary women 

sponsored to date with only 20 more to go. We are excited and praising God for His always 

faithfulness to Pure Joy International. We serve an AWESOME GOD!! Keep giving as God so leads you!