(5/17/16)
NEVER TOO OLD FOR CHRISTIAN GRACES
On my next birthday I will be 70 years old (which means I am already in my 70th year). I guess I could quit referring to "old" people as "sir" and "mam" and no one would notice. Well, that is not altogether accurate. I would notice. In fact, I would notice if I did not show the same courtesy and respect to younger people... like... in their 60's, or 40's or 20's or even little children.
I realize I am a provincial anachronism (something from the old southern culture). But that is fine by me. I think "old school" has a lot to offer. Of course, respect and courtesy is more than polite conversation. It is an internal appreciation for someone, even when that someone offers very little to be appreciated. Come to think of it, courtesy and respect and politeness is not simply an old southern culture, it is a Biblical concept.
Not only is it true that individuals don't get too old for expressions of courtesy, the human race does not get too old for social graces either. Too bad that it seems to be a disappearing quality.
Romans 12:9-10
(9) Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
(10) In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another;
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
(4) Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
(5) doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil;
(6) rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth;
(7) beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Ephesians 4:32
(32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Colossians 3:12-14
(12) Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;
(13) forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye:
(14) and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.
2 Peter 1:4-11
(4) whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.
(5) Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge;
(6) and in your knowledge self-control; and in your self-control patience; and in your patience godliness;
(7) and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love.
(8) For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(9) For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.
(10) Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble:
(11) for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
