The Perfect Gentleman

source: occamstypewriter.org

The Perfect Gentleman

Written by Tobe Osigwe @ikolondigbo

I know of a certain handsome friend whose charming look has made him the cynosure of all eyes and every young ladies dream. The way and manner this young man conducts himself with unassuming poise and panache, his impeccable dress sense, stylish hair cut and his confidence, earned him the sobriquet; Perfect Gentleman or PGM as he is fondly called. Well, if
this is the definition of a perfect gentleman then I believe that any of us will become one in not too far possible time if we put our mind to it. But alas, I doubt if that is all the requirements. I believe one can become a gentleman with the above features but being a gentleman with the adjective ‘perfect’ calls for more discipline.

We live in a world that celebrates the outward appearance more than the inward virtues of a man. No thanks to the media that has helped to entrench such a base and shortchanged world view. More often than not the media magnify a personality who has succeeded in hiding his character flaws from the dull eyes of the public as an accomplished individual. The supposed fellow may be an individual who might not even have the balls to look himself in the mirror, or sleep comfortably at night without being haunted by his hidden inanities. An individual whom close friends and families might not even dare to vouch for but cluster around such fellow because of the crumbs they can eat off him. This is the bane of our world; a world that cares about the outward personality than inward character.

On the contrary, I know of a certain man who is more than just a media creation. I reiterate, I know of a certain man who is more than just media hype. He is more than myths and legends but even if he is, the fable about him worth’s the time spent yearly in listening to it told over and over again. I know of a certain man whom one can reliably call a perfect gentleman and dare the critics and pundits to prove otherwise. I know of a certain man whom I can refer to as an epitome of a perfect gentleman without having an inner feeling of being a sycophant or playing to the gallery. And I can authoritatively refer to this certain man as a perfect gentleman because that is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  

I hold this to be true because it was evident in his life. He had all the powers but still appeared powerless to the extent that it cost him his life. As a team leader he made sure that everybody is served and satisfied first. As a judge he refused to judge or condemn the guilty even when it was obvious that the lady was a seasoned prostitute. He saw strength in a tax collector that others referred to as thief and made a treasurer out of a man that loves money and eventually betrayed him for same. Many a lady flocked around him but he never frolicked or took advantage of one. He refused to acquire a palace befitting of his status as the only son of a living deity. With him, there was no class, colour bar segregation or mundane feeling of superiority. For once, his status never got into his head neither did he rub it into the eye of anybody that he was a special breed.

If being a perfect gentleman is not about being a man of your words then I guess this certain man is not one. But if being one is about showing sincere compassion, loving without expecting to receive back, giving not out of abundance but out of importance, forgiving friends, enemies, Judases and critics that deserved not to be forgiven then this certain man is surely a perfect gentleman. If one, a prince at that, can willfully succumb to the shame of being spat on, flogged publicly for being crimeless, arraigned with renowned thieves without cursing, swearing or fighting back-despite having the power to send down fire to consume his accusers- then this certain man named Jesus Christ is no doubt a perfect gentleman.

However, if we unanimously agree that he is, I will humbly appeal to us that the knowledge of him being a perfect gentleman is of no use if we fail to strive for those virtues he exemplified. If all we do is to crucify innocent and hapless chicken, turkey, goats, cows and all what not every Christmas season, without striving to be a perfect gentleman then we have succeeded in making mockery of his lifestyle. We have succeeded in saying; it does no good being a perfect gentleman. I believe the best way of saying thank you to this human enigma called Jesus Christ is to live a humble life of love and not to wear the toga boldly emblazoned “am a Christian”.

Finally, as we celebrate another Christmas I enjoin all to drop the outward personality label that we hold so dear as Christians, religious activities and dogmas that make people see us as a Christian but leave a deep hole in our heart begging to be filled. Rather let us mould that inward character trait of Jesus that brings satisfaction to the heart first, to GOD and to our neighbours. A true perfect gentleman is a person of sound character.  But if after all these grandiose gerrymandering with words, you want a concise definition of an attitude of a Perfect Gentleman, then I will refer you to Philippians 2 verse 3-6;

 “Don’t do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble towards one another, always considering others better than yourself. Look out for one another’s interest, not just for your own. The attitude you should have is the one that Jesus Christ had: He always had the nature of GOD but he did not think that by force he should remain equal with GOD”.

May GOD open our eyes of understanding.  Happy Christmas.

Tobe Osigwe

@ikolondigbo