December 31,1996
Dear Brother Herbert:
Jack paid you a complement the other day.
He called you a gentleman and I agree. It is rare to find a man
who fits the description of a gentle man. Perhaps you may not
describe yourself this way, or perhaps your wife may not either,
for you understand yourself better then anyone else knows you.
But, at least, in public, you display some good character traits.
This raises an interesting question, what
is comprehended in the term “gentleman.” My dictionary
gives several definitions. 1. A man of noble or gentle birth.
No, this doesn’t seem to fit. 2. A man belonging to the landed
gentry. No, that doesn’t fit either. 3. A man whose conduct
conforms to a high standard of propriety or correct behavior.
Now we have it.
According to this definition, how many men
can be said to be gentleman or how many men aspire to this position?
Probably most men don’t care if they are gallant, but to
earn this rank through one’s good reputation is a worthy
objective.
A gentleman may be found anywhere, doing
almost anything, for circumstances do not make the man, the man
makes the circumstances. We are all privileged to be gentlemen,
called to a high standard of propriety and conduct, otherwise
know as Christianity.
A gentleman can be trusted not to abuse
his strength or power over his wife or other women. He is polite
and courteous at all times. He is the model of correct deportment
in all social circumstances, but, most important of all, he can
be trusted to conform to socially acceptable criterion. Are not
these Christian principals?
I would there were more men who could be
called gentle. All too often, we abuse the strength and position
in which God placed us, exhibiting character traits of which even
the animals would consider shameful. When a man sinks lower then
the animals in his conduct and speech, he has gone about as low
as it is possible to go. But ever here, and to the men who resemble
nothing so much as animals, Christ offers hope. No one can go
so low that he or she is beyond the reach of Christ’s strong
arm, He is able to raise up any man or woman in moral worth who
desires to be reclaimed. This is the power of divine love, that
it reaches to the lowest depths of humanity, to the very bottom
of the barrel, and finds those whom society has abandoned and
who have given up on themselves and transforms them into gentleman
and ladies.
We are all wretched although most of us
do not realize it. Consider Paul comments about human nature.
“There is none righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:10.
You might read the remainder of the chapter and then wonder how
God can create gentleman and ladies our of sinful humanity. But
He does.
When we respond to the Holy Spirit and do
those things that the natural, that is unconverted heart, would
not do, then it may be said that we are Christians or Christ-like.
Here is the highest calling it is possible for a man or woman
to attain, Godliness, Godlikeness. To be like our creator in character
and speech, is the ultimate experience it is possible for a man
to attain. But it is an maturity within the reach of every man,
woman, and child for Christ gives us the capacity to attain unto
the character of God. What a privilege. What other God, who has
ever sought homage, can make this claim?
Here is the true definition of gentleman, a
man who perfectly reflects Christ’s character of love and
mercy to all whom he meets.
God bless you, my brother, you are nearer
the kingdom of heaven then you realize or believe. God loves you
and, if you do not refuse Him, He will escort you all the way
home. What a joy it will be to see our redeemer face to face and
realize that His character is our character also.
May the Lord bless you with a deeper understanding of divine truth and a broader comprehension of Christ’s love that you may share it with others. Your brother in Christ.
Allen A. Benson
