Manners Matter
Manners are both a blessing and a challenge.
Manners can differ and evolve, but the gospel doesn’t change.
The mandate of Jesus is clear: We must treat one another with mercy and love.
We can view courtesy as a sign that what we are doing is what Jesus would have us do.
Being true to our Christian calling, the world around us would be a kinder, gentler place.
Despite the gospel call to kindness, some view good manners and rules of etiquette as unreal, restrictive and even dishonest.
But what is so real, liberating and honest about being bad mannered, discourteous, impolite and uncivil.
Has civility, courtesy and good manners disappeared from society?
Has it become an ancient relic of days gone by, of yesteryear’s way of being, of times past; an antiqued, fanciful way of being that no longer exists in this fast paced world that is harsh and cruel?
Curse words; swear words, profanity and vulgar language seem to be the accepted mood of communication that glibly fills our hearts, minds and souls with verbal trash, junk and garbage.
When we are filled with trash there is no room left for the true treasures of life.
When we are filled with junk there is no room left for Jesus.
When we are filled with garbage there is no room left for goodness, graciousness, generosity and gratitude.
Are we loving and merciful?
Do we consider other’s feelings?
What kind of reputation will we have if we go around bluntly and thoughtlessly saying exactly what we think and how we feel all the time about everything?
There is nothing that costs so little or goes so far as good manners do.
We are usually so seemingly surprised and genuinely grateful when we encounter courteous people, that we will return that same courtesy to them.
Civility is the oil can of life; it lubricates the squeaks and screeches on the ride of a lifetime along the road of life.
Manners can differ and evolve, but the gospel doesn’t change.
The mandate of Jesus is clear: We must treat one another with mercy and love.
We can view courtesy as a sign that what we are doing is what Jesus would have us do.
Being true to our Christian calling, the world around us would be a kinder, gentler place.
Despite the gospel call to kindness, some view good manners and rules of etiquette as unreal, restrictive and even dishonest.
But what is so real, liberating and honest about being bad mannered, discourteous, impolite and uncivil.
Has civility, courtesy and good manners disappeared from society?
Has it become an ancient relic of days gone by, of yesteryear’s way of being, of times past; an antiqued, fanciful way of being that no longer exists in this fast paced world that is harsh and cruel?
Curse words; swear words, profanity and vulgar language seem to be the accepted mood of communication that glibly fills our hearts, minds and souls with verbal trash, junk and garbage.
When we are filled with trash there is no room left for the true treasures of life.
When we are filled with junk there is no room left for Jesus.
When we are filled with garbage there is no room left for goodness, graciousness, generosity and gratitude.
Are we loving and merciful?
Do we consider other’s feelings?
What kind of reputation will we have if we go around bluntly and thoughtlessly saying exactly what we think and how we feel all the time about everything?
There is nothing that costs so little or goes so far as good manners do.
We are usually so seemingly surprised and genuinely grateful when we encounter courteous people, that we will return that same courtesy to them.
Civility is the oil can of life; it lubricates the squeaks and screeches on the ride of a lifetime along the road of life.