Love Does Not Behave Rudely
According to 1 Corinthians 13:5 love “does not behave rudely.” (1 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV) Said another way love behaves like a gentleman, not like a child wanting his own way. Yes there is such a thing as appropriate behavior for where you are and whom you are with. Love respects such boundaries.
I remember being told as a child to be on my best behavior at certain times. Love promotes our best behavior. You see love cares enough about others not to want to be an offense to them. Thus behavior appropriate to time and place and people will come. You don’t want to appear to be like that child in the Kroger throwing a fit and having a temper tantrum because his mom won’t buy the Fruit Loops he wanted. God says to us that love behaves better than that. It is time to grow up if you want to express love.
Unfortunately this one gets difficult because we all have our limits. I have seen Christians get all nasty on the way to church because someone didn’t stop at the red light or because someone almost hit their car. Those four letter words, yes I dare to say it, are rude folks and do not express love for anyone. Instead they express impatience and selfishness. Just because we live in a rude world does not mean we must behave rudely. Jesus called us “the light of the world.” Are you shining?
Again I consider if I know a living example of love is not rude. One example comes to mind from my church friends in Tennessee. As a deacon in the church he made an effort to teach the young men how to behave like gentlemen. Asa demonstrated behavior to these young men. He didn’t just tell them to do it. No he lived it. I have seen him in situations where some folks might shout bad words, but he calmly handled things instead. I know he isn’t perfect, however, he provides an awesome example to the young men in that congregation.
These morning meditations written by Christian believer and author, Patricia Hawkins, offer them for your personal edification. You may contact Patricia at prayerpartnerpat@gmail.com.