I REMEMBER TRAFFIC SIGNS when I was a kid that read, “Courtesy Pays”. It was meant to remind people to drive in a courteous manner. I see the way people drive as a reflection of our society. Whatever became of courtesy? The other day a lady driving with one hand, coffee in the other, cuts across two lanes of traffic to turn left. Cuts everybody off, someone honks and she flips them off. Wow!
Common courtesy is out the window. I remember the days when a mom would teach her young man to hold the door for ladies and now she’s teaching him how to be a lady killer. What has happened? There’s no courtesy. There’s no respect. There’s no honoring of another. We live in a “IT’S ALL ABOUT ME” society. Just look at Instagram’s endless barrage of selfies. Are we not told that this would be the prevailing sign of the end times?
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be LOVERS OF THEMSELVES, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”
II Timothy 3:1-5
For the record, the above Scripture is referring to people that say they know the Lord and perhaps are even “religious” and will be found in a church, but they preach a different Jesus than the apostle. Paul says to keep away from these people. Bad company corrupts good morals. You, O Saint of God, are called to be different. We are not of this world, we are just pilgrims passing through. We are separated, holy and set apart. We are to not love this present world, therefore we do not act like the world acts.
If you love the world, the love of the Father is not in you. Don’t deceive yourself. We do not seek and push for our own way. Because you belong to the Lord and have been given a different nature, you don’t spiritually cut in front of others because you might have missed your turn. Go up to the next exit and turn around. Stop being so selfish and self-centered. It’s worldly. You are called to prefer another above yourself. You are called to go out of your way to help even your enemy. You are called to be courteous and respectful.
“See that none of you repays another with evil for evil, but always aim to show kindness and seek to do good to one another and to everybody.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15
There it is! SEEK to do good to everyone. “SEEK” implies an active looking for ways to show His goodness and kindness. It is self-sacrificing and pride swallowing. This is not always easy, especially if you have been hurt and wronged by another. We don’t get to treat others unkindly because they were unkind to us. This is not the Lord’s way. God has shown you kindness for His sake, so that you can show others kindness. He has forgiven so you can forgive. He has freely given, so you can freely give.
I’m fairly certain that those who hold a grudge and unforgiveness in their hearts, have no understanding of how wretched their own sin was/is against God. I will tell you it’s not always easy to forgive, but we have been given the Holy Spirit to help us in all of God’s ways. If you need the strength to forgive, first choose to forgive then call upon the Spirit for help. This does not mean that we tolerate or celebrate sin in any way, shape or form. Don’t twist and misuse my words.
Practice “seeking to do good” on a daily basis, even in your driving, and watch how God blesses your obedience. Courtesy pays.
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page