Do Not Be Rude
And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. Isaiah 35:8
The Bible says, ‘There will be a highway called the Holy Road. No one rude … is permitted on this road’ (v. 8). Wouldn’t it be great if there was a highway specially designated for kind, considerate people? Instead, look around you; ‘road rage’ is played out every single day. Discourteous drivers yell obscenities at fellow motorists, young and old. What’s making us so rude these days? Overbooked schedules, longer commuting times, demanding bosses, spoiled children, and the stresses of daily living? Showing patience is such a rare occurrence anymore. Ill-mannered, discourteous communication has become standard practice – even among professing Christians. Whatever happened to the Golden Rule Jesus gave us? ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you’ (Luke 6:31). Most of the time we’re so absorbed in our own agendas that we don’t have time to even think about others! Shouldn’t our love for Christ and our desire to represent Him well here on earth have an impact on our day-to-day behavior? The Bible says, ‘Love is not … rude. [Love] does not demand its own way’ (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). There’s never justification for being rude. So when you find yourself being impatient and discourteous, repent and recommit to following the Golden Rule. Realize that when you’re rude, you’ve made the very selfish and ungodly decision that your needs and concerns are of overriding importance. Followers of Christ are to be patient, considerate, and kind. Try to remember that today when you encounter somebody whose actions invite you to respond the wrong way.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be kind and considerate and most of all patient with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
I do struggle with being God’s person in this world, especially on the rare occasion that someone really did intend to harm me, But even then,the person;s intent isn’t what needs to be driving my response. If I can imagine God standing in my shoes that sometimes helps. Because God can;t be threatened or harmed. If I can get to “This is between them and God” the next mercy is the ability to forgive. When I don;t remember God is with me, I act in ways that later need be renounced and repented. So if I;m going to get hurt anyway, its better that I don’t do what need forgiveness on top of whatever else befalls me.