Politeness: A Reflection of God's Love

Devotional

Day 1: Active Love Respects Others

Love is not a passive emotion but an active choice to honor and respect others, regardless of their actions or beliefs. This active love is a reflection of God's heart, who shows us unwavering kindness and expects us to do the same in our interactions. When we choose to be polite and respectful, we are not only obeying God's command but also setting a standard for Christian engagement with the world. This kind of love goes beyond mere feelings and becomes a deliberate action, even when it's challenging to do so. It's about embodying the love that 1 Corinthians 13 describes, which does not dishonor others, and thus, does not act rudely. By actively choosing to love in this way, we become a living testimony of God's love to those around us [49:33].

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." - Romans 12:17-18 (ESV)

Reflection: Consider a recent interaction where you found it difficult to be respectful. How can you choose to show active love in similar situations moving forward?

Day 2: Politeness as a Witness

In a culture that often celebrates rudeness, our politeness can shine as a beacon of Christ's love. By treating everyone with dignity and respect, we stand out and draw others to inquire about the source of our love. This opens doors to share the Gospel and demonstrate the transformative power of Jesus' love in our lives. The Apostle Paul's approach in 1 Corinthians 9, where he respects others' traditions and practices for the sake of the Gospel, is a prime example of how our distinct love can win people for Christ without compromising our beliefs [49:08].

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." - Colossians 4:6 (ESV)

Reflection: How can your polite and respectful behavior serve as a witness to someone who does not yet know Christ?

Day 3: Genuine Interest Fosters Connection

Asking questions and showing genuine interest in others' stories is a powerful expression of love. It allows us to connect on a personal level, breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for meaningful conversations about faith. This approach is not about being nosy or intrusive but about demonstrating that we value the person and their experiences. When we listen to others and engage with their stories, we follow the example of Jesus, who always had time for individual encounters and personal connections [55:50].

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:4 (ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life could benefit from your genuine interest today, and how can you show that you value their story?

Day 4: Tactful Truth Sharing

While we must not shy away from speaking the truth, doing so with gentleness and respect can lead to more receptive hearts. Tactfulness in sharing the truth is crucial, especially when restoring those caught in sin or sharing the Gospel. It's about balancing honesty with kindness, ensuring that our words heal rather than wound. This approach reflects the wisdom from above, which is pure, peace-loving, considerate, and full of mercy, as described in James 3:17. By being tactful, we embody the love of Christ and open doors for His message to be heard [01:09:42].

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver." - Proverbs 25:11 (ESV)

Reflection: What is a situation where you need to speak the truth with gentleness and respect, and how can you prepare your heart for this conversation?

Day 5: Sharing the Gospel Out of Love

The ultimate expression of love is not to remain silent about the Gospel. Out of genuine concern for others, we must be willing to share the good news of Jesus Christ, even when it's uncomfortable. This willingness stems from understanding the eternal significance of the Gospel and the impact it can have on someone's life. By sharing the Gospel, we are not imposing our beliefs but offering the greatest gift of love we have received. It's a matter of eternal destiny, and our love compels us to speak the truth in love [01:10:14].

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" - Mark 16:15 (ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone in your life who needs to hear the Gospel? How can you lovingly and respectfully initiate that conversation today?

Sermon Summary

In our ongoing series "Love Notes," we delve into the profound truths of 1 Corinthians 13, the Bible's renowned "Love Chapter." Today, we focus on a specific aspect of love that is increasingly relevant in our modern culture: politeness. Love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13:5, "does not dishonor others." This means that love is not rude; it embodies the essence of politeness and kindness, even in the face of disagreement or dislike.

God's love for us is unwavering and kind, and He calls us to emulate this love in our interactions with others. The wisdom from heaven, as stated in James 3:17, is pure, peace-loving, considerate, and full of mercy. It is this divine wisdom that should guide our behavior towards others, reflecting God's love through our actions.

Jesus Christ, our ultimate example, lived out this love in His earthly ministry. He demonstrated politeness and respect even to those who opposed Him, such as the Pharisees. In Luke 7, we see Jesus accepting an invitation to dine with a Pharisee, a group often at odds with Him. During the meal, a woman with a sinful reputation approached Jesus, weeping and anointing His feet with perfume. The Pharisee judged both the woman and Jesus, but Jesus responded with grace and forgiveness, highlighting the woman's faith and love.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be distinct in our love, standing out in a world rife with rudeness. By being polite and treating everyone with dignity and respect, we shine as lights in the darkness, drawing attention to the transformative power of Jesus' love. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this in 1 Corinthians 9, where he speaks of becoming all things to all people to win them for Christ. He did not compromise his beliefs but chose to respect others' traditions and practices for the sake of the Gospel.

In our interactions, we must practice common courtesies, putting others at ease rather than on edge. We should not be easily offended, as this can hinder our witness for Christ. Instead, we should be tactful with the truth, gently restoring those caught in sin and sharing the Gospel with love and kindness.

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to 1 Corinthians 13:5, what are some characteristics of love that are highlighted? How do these characteristics contrast with rudeness? [24:01]
In James 3:17, what attributes are associated with the wisdom that comes from heaven? How do these attributes guide our interactions with others? [35:04]
Describe the interaction between Jesus, the Pharisee, and the sinful woman in Luke 7:36-50. How did Jesus demonstrate politeness and respect in this situation? [36:00]
What examples of common rudeness in today's culture were mentioned in the sermon? How do these examples illustrate the need for politeness? [29:45]

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 challenge our everyday behavior towards others, especially those we disagree with? [24:01]
Reflect on James 3:17. How can the attributes of heavenly wisdom be applied in resolving conflicts or disagreements in our daily lives? [35:04]
In the story from Luke 7, why do you think Jesus chose to respond with grace and forgiveness rather than condemnation? What does this teach us about handling judgment and forgiveness? [36:00]
The sermon mentioned that being polite and respectful can make us distinct in a culture that often celebrates rudeness. How can this distinctiveness serve as a witness for Christ? [49:00]

Application Questions

Think of a recent situation where you were tempted to respond rudely. How could you have applied the principles from 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 to handle it differently? [24:01]
Identify a person in your life with whom you frequently disagree. How can you use the wisdom from James 3:17 to improve your interactions with them? [35:04]
Reflect on a time when you felt judged or disrespected. How did it affect you? How can you ensure that you do not make others feel the same way, following Jesus' example in Luke 7? [36:00]
The sermon emphasized the importance of asking questions and showing genuine interest in others' stories. Can you think of someone you can engage in a meaningful conversation this week? What questions will you ask to show your interest? [55:50]
How can you practice common courtesies, such as saying "please" and "thank you," in your daily interactions to reflect God's love? [45:00]
Consider a situation where you were easily offended. How can you develop a more forgiving and patient attitude, as suggested in Proverbs 19:11? [03:00]
The sermon mentioned the importance of being tactful with the truth. How can you share the Gospel with someone in a way that is both truthful and loving? [01:09:42]

Sermon Clips

- "We've created this idea for many people growing up in our world today that life is all about you. It ought to all revolve around you. You ought to always get what you want when you want it right away." [26:51] (Download | )

- "The more distinct we are the more we catch people's attention. Not always in a good way but sometimes in a good way. Right? And that gives us the opportunity to witness for Christ that we may not have had we not stood out in our distinctiveness as Christ followers." [49:08] (Download | )

- "You know what I've learned about people in order to get them to talk? One of the greatest things you can do is just ask them about themselves." [57:22] (Download | )

- "Sometimes the rudest thing you can do is stay silent by the way and not even talk to anybody. What if you're sitting at lunch with your best friend, they just rushed there from work, they have a salad, you're sitting there, they're about to head back to their office and you see they got a big piece of spinach in their teeth." [01:08:36] (Download | )

- "One of the rudest things you can do is not love them in any more kind way than to tell them about Jesus when they need to know about Jesus. The truth and love he said in this passage restore them gently." [01:10:14] (Download | )

- "Paul said I don't have to treat Jews with the respect of the Jewish culture because I'm forced to do it. I'm not under the law. I don't have to respect their laws by force but when I'm with a Jewish audience what am I going to do? I'm going to be courteous to them and respect their traditions and their practices." [51:10] (Download | )

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