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Gracious Words, June 22
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye
may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Colossians 4:6
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Courtesy is one of the graces of the Spirit. It is an attribute of Heaven.
The angels never fly into a passion, never are envious or selfish. No harsh
or unkind words escape their lips. If we are to be the companions of
angels, we too must be refined and courteous.
The truth of God is designed to elevate the receiver, to refine his taste
and sanctify his judgment. No man can be a Christian without having the
spirit of Christ; and if he has the spirit of Christ, it will be manifested in
a refined, courteous disposition. His character will be holy, his manners
comely, his words without guile. He will cherish the love that is not easily
provoked, that suffers long and is kind, that hopes all things and endures
all things....
Those who profess to be followers of Christ and are at the same time
rough, unkind, and uncourteous in words and deportment have not learned
of Jesus.... The conduct of some professing Christians is so lacking in
kindness and courtesy that their good is evil spoken of. Their sincerity
may not be doubted, their uprightness may not be questioned; but sincerity
and uprightness will not atone for a lack of kindness and courtesy. The
Christian is to be sympathetic as well as true, pitiful and courteous as well
as upright and honest....
True courtesy blended with truth and justice makes the life not only
useful but beautiful and fragrant. Kind words, pleasant looks, a cheerful
countenance, throw a charm about the Christian that makes his influence
almost irresistible. In forgetfulness of self, in the light and peace and
happiness that he is constantly bestowing on others, he finds true joy.
Let us be self-forgetful, ever on the watch to cheer others, to lighten
their burdens by acts of tender kindness and deeds of unselfish love. Leave
unspoken that unkind word; let that selfish disregard of the happiness
of others give place to loving sympathy. These thoughtful courtesies,
beginning in the home and extending far beyond the home circle, go far to
make up the sum of life’s happiness, and the neglect of them constitutes
no small share of life’s misery.
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