I heard the phrase, "Use your manners," many times as a boy. Politeness was instilled in me and I am glad. It is routine me for me to say "please" and "thank you," to hold the door for a woman to go first, and even to stand when she approaches or leaves a table.
At Christmas, amid the rush, it is good to remind ourselves that, as Christians, we represent our Lord Jesus Christ, His kingdom, and His church. How we behave reflects on Him. In the aisle, in the checkout, at the intersection we need to remember our manners.
Our culture does not emphasize manners. A Christian woman recently described a frantic scene in a store where many of the customers in front of her in line were giving the clerk a hard time. When the woman reached the clerk, she made a comment to which the clerk replied, "At least I haven't cried today...yet."
Christians can be bright spots in the darkness that demoralizes and defeats those who serve the public during this time of year and throughout the year.
J.B. Phillips translates 1 Corinthians 13: 5a as "Love has good manners."
Sinclair Ferguson says of manners:
"Christians are not rude. That negative implies a positive: they are polite, respectful, caring, thoughtful, well-mannered. That doesn't mean they are slaves of social etiquette, but lovers of biblical etiquette! Read through your New Testament and mark every verse that describes the Christian's lifestyle. You will discover that Christians are called to have deeply countercultural manners - such different manners that others can't help noticing, and wondering why!"
So, Christian, as you prevail during the holidays, use your manners!
Fred for The Prevailing Life
I heard the phrase, "Use your manners," many times as a boy. Politeness was instilled in me and I am glad. It is routine me for me to say "please" and "thank you," to hold the door for a woman to go first, and even to stand when she approaches or leaves a table.
At Christmas, amid the rush, it is good to remind ourselves that, as Christians, we represent our Lord Jesus Christ, His kingdom, and His church. How we behave reflects on Him. In the aisle, in the checkout, at the intersection we need to remember our manners.
Our culture does not emphasize manners. A Christian woman recently described a frantic scene in a store where many of the customers in front of her in line were giving the clerk a hard time. When the woman reached the clerk, she made a comment to which the clerk replied, "At least I haven't cried today...yet."
Christians can be bright spots in the darkness that demoralizes and defeats those who serve the public during this time of year and throughout the year.
J.B. Phillips translates 1 Corinthians 13: 5a as "Love has good manners."
Sinclair Ferguson says of manners:
"Christians are not rude. That negative implies a positive: they are polite, respectful, caring, thoughtful, well-mannered. That doesn't mean they are slaves of social etiquette, but lovers of biblical etiquette! Read through your New Testament and mark every verse that describes the Christian's lifestyle. You will discover that Christians are called to have deeply countercultural manners - such different manners that others can't help noticing, and wondering why!"
So, Christian, as you prevail during the holidays, use your manners!
Fred for The Prevailing Life