'Jesus, Show Me How To Teach Others': Acts 26:14 (Gentleness)

Read Galatians 5:22-23:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Are you ready to make an investment in the Fruit of Gentleness?

Read Acts 26:9-18:

“I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

“On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

“Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Do you remember your first encounter with Jesus?

In the space provided, write down what happened, your reaction, thoughts, emotions, resolutions, etc.

In all honesty, how well are you living up to the hopes, dreams and expectations of that first encounter with Jesus?

Go to 'DOCUMENTS' and read Oswald Chambers on Acts 26:9-18.

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Oswald states:

"Stubbornness and self-will will always stab Jesus Christ. It may hurt no one else, but it wounds His Spirit. Whenever we are obstinate and self-willed and set on our own ambitions, we are hurting Jesus. Every time we stand on our own rights and insist that this is what we intend to do, we are persecuting Him."

Take a moment to think about what Oswald is saying here.

Do you agree with him?

Oswald observes:

"Whenever we rely on self-respect, we systematically disturb and grieve His Spirit."

In dealing with conflict and difficulties, how do you rely on self respect? Be specific.

Oswald adds:

"And when we finally understand that it is Jesus we have been persecuting all this time, it is the most crushing revelation ever."

Do you agree that while our reactions appear to be the normal desire for 'self respect', that the spirit in which they are being done serves to persecute Jesus?

Oswald continues:

"Is the Word of God tremendously penetrating and sharp in me as I hand it on to you, or does my life betray the things I profess to teach? I may teach sanctification and yet exhibit the spirit of Satan, the very spirit that persecutes Jesus Christ."

How frequently have you been exposed to this through the teachings of others?

How often do you think you have been guilty of doing this very thing when teaching others?

Is there anything you would like to repent of (express your sorrow)?

If so, you can do privately or in the space provided.

Oswald observes:

"The Spirit of Jesus is conscious of only one thing— a perfect oneness with the Father. And He tells us, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)

Regarding your actions against Jesus, pray and ask Him how you can 'take His yoke upon you' and specifically what He has to teach you going forward.

Write down what you receive in the space provided.

Oswald concludes:

"All I do should be based on a perfect oneness with Him, not on a self-willed determination to be godly. This will mean that others may use me, go around me, or completely ignore me, but if I will submit to it for His sake, I will prevent Jesus Christ from being persecuted."

Is there anything you would like to thank and/or praise Jesus for?

If so, you can do so privately, or in the space provided.

How much has this Trail helped to instruct you in how to teach others?

How much has this Trail increased your current level of gentleness?