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Courtesy Is A
Manifestation Of Humility
Before I get into
this idea that courtesy is a
consequence of humility, I want us
to understand how important humility
is in the life of a Christian. Let’s
start with what the wise man had to
say in Prov. 16:18: “Pride goeth
before destruction, and an haughty
spirit before a fall. 19: Better it
is to be of an humble spirit with
the lowly, than to divide the spoil
with the proud.” David said, “The
sacrifices of God are a broken
spirit: a broken and a contrite
heart, O God, thou wilt not despise”
(Ps. 51:17). When Micah contended
with the people of God on God’s
behalf, he told them, “He hath
shewed thee, O man, what is good;
and what doth the LORD require of
thee, but to do justly, and to love
mercy, and to walk humbly with thy
God?” (Micah 6:8). In Lk. 14:11 and
18:14, we are told that he that
humbles himself shall be exalted by
God. According to Col. 3:10-12, we
are to put on humility of mind
because we are the elect of God who
have put on the new man. James said
“10: Humble yourselves in the sight
of the Lord, and he shall lift you
up” (Jam. 4:3). Paul said that he
had served the Lord with all
humility of mind (Acts 20:19).
Can anyone doubt,
with all this, that humility is
vital to salvation? Lest anyone miss
the point, hear God say about man,
“That no flesh should glory in his
presence” (1 Cor. 1:29).
Courtesy then
becomes an essential in Christian
conduct because it is one of the
actions resulting from humility of
mind. Love (in a Christian) vaunteth
not itself, is not puffed up and
does not behave itself unseemly (1
Cor. 5:4-5). That is, it is not
arrogant and it takes those around
in consideration as it acts. Because
the courteous consider others, they
open doors, they let others go
first, they are polite in speech and
they are hospitable. In addition,
they are not argumentative or
sharp-tongued. They are not easily
offended and they do not have to
have their way. Our Lord followed
each of these characteristics in His
life and thinking and so should we.
Most of us have
learned to say ‘please’ and ‘thank
you’ and ‘excuse me’ as a matter of
habit. But as you can see above
courtesy is just the beginning of
many kindnesses and efforts to let
our light shine among men and each
other. Can’t you imagine the
difference it would make in your
character and, therefore, in your
personality that shows to others, if
courtesy were the habitual starting
thought when you greet someone,
spend time with someone or even work
with someone every day. We can
indeed open doors and have a great
influence if we grow in our practice
of courtesy. The humble spirit of
Christians would cause many in the
community to appreciate the church
and some to think about serving the
Lord.
Mike
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