Qualities of a Christian Gentleman

[KeilCoppes]

I often see the profiles of singles who are seeking the lifelong company of a christian gentleman. While there are opinions ventured in various places as to general christian qualities, there is a scarcity of public works and an even smaller consensus on the qualities of a man who is both christian and a gentleman. The calling seems to be in short supply or praise among the men of today's world.

Would anyone care to venture the detailed qualities of a gentleman of the christian variety? I am considering composing an article and also have a personal interest in the topic.

Keil Coppes


Editorial note: I would ask that naysayers exercise restraint and that flamers refrain from posting to this thread. Thank you.

 

[KeilCoppes]

To start, a christian gentleman is primarily a christian and secondarily a gentleman. Being a christian gentleman comes not from worldly position or positions, but from the application of godly character to the world and the exercise of good principles in daily life.

 

[Suzannah]

Dear Keil,

Thank you for asking the question and allowing an "old lady" to respond. In my view, a Christian "gentleman" is one who holds fast to the societal definition, while at the same time, adding the Christian component: that is to say a gentleman is one who: Loves the Lord, serves the Church, serves women and children, is compassionate of widows and the elderly, who visits the sick, the imprisoned.

"Imprisoned" may mean those who are bound by the sins of the word. Humility is a mark of the Christian gentleman. He is not a "eunuch" in todays definition but is a "mensch" , a human being who can apprecite the suffering of the worlds outcasts and have compassion and real Love for them.
And yet, he can hold fast to the teaching of what sin is, where sin leads, who we are to be "in the world".


God bless you for asking....this old lady appreciates it!

 

[KeilCoppes]

Role models:
In character, his ultimate role model is the Lord Jesus Christ, with the knowledge that the believer is not the Lord of creation. Rather, he is himself a creation tasked with exercising dominion over the rest of creation. The christian gentleman also looks to those who God commended in Scripture, as his goal is to be who God would have him be.

General qualities:

Attitude:

Bearing:
The worldly gentleman may constantly aware of his position for the purpose of striving for the human ideal. This may generate into self serving and being aloof. As a contrast, the christian gentleman considers himself a man like any other, but saved by grace and dedicated to living as would best be a witness to God and a service to others - the godly ideal. He is humble but composed, and does not think of himself higher than he ought to think. He does not put on airs of being a 'gentleman', he simply is who he is. At the same time, he gives full value to God's work in making him His creation, taking his personal value from who his Creator is.

Life patterns:

Life goals:

 

[Living4Him03]

If both Christian and gentleman, then the perfect example is, of course, Jesus. If a man seeks to eminate Jesus in every aspect of his life and puts God's will before his own in every situation and decision, he is a Christian gentleman. Second, if he is going to be married, then to love his wife as Jesus loves His church (if he can even comprehend such a vast love and sacrificial living) is the second characteristic of a Christian gentleman. Just as Jesus didn't go with the flow of society, so does the Christian gentleman reject society's notions of how he ought to be, in order to be Christ-like. He does not base how he should act and think based on what others say is Christ-like, but he turns to scripture and prayer. He prays with passion, he lives with passion, he loves with passion. Yet, he realizes his fallible, human nature and is forever thankful of Christ's horrendous death on the cross to pay for his sins.

 

[jenptcfan]

A Christian gentleman is one who possesses the fruits of the spirit, especially ones like patience and self-control. Sometimes even good Christian guys get pushy...not just in a sexual way but rushing into dating rather than cultivating a friendship (which is fine for some people, but I'd rather take my time and learn as much as possible about the guy's personality first).

A Christian gentleman handles "defeat" gracefully. By this I mean that a Christian gentleman shouldn't go around bad-mouthing a girl because she decided they weren't meant to be (I suspect the Ego has a lot to do with this behavior! lol).

A Christian gentleman should seek to constantly improve his relationship with God to prepare for a role as spiritual leader of a household.

I'm sure I'll think of more, and of course several of these things would apply to a Christian lady too!

 

[Ceris]

As Living4him said, the best you can do is based your life as close as possible on Jesus and you will be trying to make yourself like a Christian gentleman.

 

[Starcradle]

If both Christian and gentleman, then the perfect example is, of course, Jesus. If a man seeks to eminate Jesus in every aspect of his life and puts God's will before his own in every situation and decision, he is a Christian gentleman. Second, if he is going to be married, then to love his wife as Jesus loves His church (if he can even comprehend such a vast love and sacrificial living) is the second characteristic of a Christian gentleman. Just as Jesus didn't go with the flow of society, so does the Christian gentleman reject society's notions of how he ought to be, in order to be Christ-like. He does not base how he should act and think based on what others say is Christ-like, but he turns to scripture and prayer. He prays with passion, he lives with passion, he loves with passion. Yet, he realizes his fallible, human nature and is forever thankful of Christ's horrendous death on the cross to pay for his sins.

Good post.

I would add to that the following:

*A Christian gentleman strives to protect and preserve the purity of his Christian sisters and, subsequently, his wife.

*His speech is seasoned with salt. He does not resort to belittling tactics to get his point across, such as insults and name-calling, which corrode rather than edify the hearts and spirits of those around him.

*His gentleness is never lost when it is necessary for him to be firm.

*He is constantly pointing others to Christ's love and counsel.