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In Contact With Others
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“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in
honor giving preference to one another.” “Not returning evil for evil
or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that
you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”
Romans
12:10
;
1 Peter 3:9
.
Reveal the Christian Graces
The Lord Jesus demands our acknowledgment of the rights of
every person. People’s social rights, and their rights as Christians, are
to be taken into consideration. All are to be treated with refinement
and delicacy, as the sons and daughters of God.
Christianity will make a man a gentleman and a woman a lady.
Christ was courteous, even to His persecutors, and His true followers
will manifest the same spirit. Look at Paul when brought before
rulers. His speech before Agrippa is an illustration of true courtesy
as well as persuasive eloquence. The gospel does not encourage
the formal politeness current with the world, but the courtesy that
springs from real kindness of heart.
The most careful cultivation of the outward proprieties of life
is not sufficient to shut out all fretfulness, harsh judgment, and
unbecoming speech. True refinement will never be revealed so long
as self is considered as the supreme object. Love must dwell in
the heart. Thoroughgoing Christians draw their motives of action
from a deep heart-love for their Master. Up through the roots of
their affection for Christ springs an unselfish interest in others. Love
imparts to its possessor grace, propriety, and beauty of deportment.
It illuminates the countenance and subdues the voice. It refines and
elevates the whole being.
Life is chiefly made up of little things, not of great sacrifices
and wonderful achievements. Often through the little things that
seem unworthy of notice, great good or evil is brought into our lives.
Through our failure to endure the tests that come to us in little things,
the habits are molded, the character misshaped; and when the greater
tests come, they find us unready. Only by acting on principle in the
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tests of daily life can we acquire power to stand firm and faithful in
the most dangerous and difficult positions.