The Fruit of the Spirit 15 (Love is not rude 2)


Continuing from the previous discussion on Love, specifically focusing on “Love is not rude,” I’ll dive deeper into the importance of politeness, respect, and gentle conduct in our daily interactions. Drawing inspiration from 1 Corinthians 13:5 to explore how embodying these virtues reflects the transformative power of Christ's love within us.

When we are motivated by the love of Christ, we naturally refrain from behaving unseemly. That means we avoid dishonoring our neighbors or anyone we come into contact with. Instead, we strive to uplift and positively impact others, avoiding emotional harm in our interactions.

Respecting those in authority 

Not being rude means being polite and gentle and treating others with the honor and respect they deserve. A crucial aspect to address is respecting our superiors, elders, bosses, and those who have lead over us. As Christians, we are to be the most polite and well-mannered individuals, reflecting the state that God has placed us in—His love.

Often, we attribute a lack of respect for authority figures to their failure to earn it. However, as Children of the Spirit governed by the love of Christ, we should not allow others' actions and reactions to dictate our behavior. We are to exercise ourselves in the Spirit, allowing the motivation for our conduct to stem from Christ's love within us. Looking at the example of Paul—an influential preacher in His days, never encouraged unseemly behavior from his follower toward the government, even during times of persecution under wicked leaders like Nero.

Politeness as Spiritual Growth

Being polite is not a sign of weakness but rather an outworking of the Holy Spirit within us. It is a crucial aspect of our spiritual growth. The Holy Spirit makes us aware of the love we have received from the Lord Jesus and guides us to let that love flow through us as we relate to others.

James 3:13-17 presents a question regarding wisdom, highlighting that wise individuals are known by their good conduct and lack of ill-mannered behavior. The world may perceive such individuals as foolish, especially when they respond politely despite mistreatment. However, the Bible informs us that those who operate in the wisdom of God are the wise ones. As followers of Christ, we are to walk in the Spirit of love and refrain from seeking validation or guidance from worldly perspectives.

Following the gentle heart of Jesus

Jesus, the embodiment of love, exemplified a gentle and lowly heart. He treated others respectfully, regardless of their status or actions towards Him. Even when His parents didn't fully understand His calling, He responded with meekness and humility, never arrogantly asserting His superior knowledge (Luke 2:49-51). That shows us a powerful example to walk in, reminding us to respect and submit to those in authority, including our spiritual leaders.

While it is acceptable to challenge wrongdoing, we must do it with love and the intention of bringing light to the situation. Our aim should never be to shame or disrespect others but rather to promote righteousness and bless the lives of those involved. Jesus challenged the misdeeds of various sects, but always with love in His heart, seeking to illuminate the truth and bring about transformation.

In our interactions, we are to display the transformative power of Christ's love through our politeness and respect for others. We must never see politeness as a weakness but as an expression of the Holy Spirit's work within us. As we rely on Christ's grace, power, and strength supplied through the Holy Spirit, we can navigate relationships with a gentle and lowly heart, reflecting the love of Christ and promoting a culture of honor and respect.

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