“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Mark 9:35; Ephesians 4:32
If you observe people in their daily commute, during holiday shopping, or in long grocery store lines, you won’t get a very good glimpse of Jesus’ instructions to put others first or of Paul’s directive to be compassionate. And if you’re honest with yourself, you might admit that you have fallen short yourself at times, forgetting entirely how sweet it is to show common courtesy.

Since “common” courtesy seems to be less common these days, we can remind ourselves of what it could look like in our lives. Say “please” and “thank you.” Let others go first. Hold the door open. Say, “I’m sorry,” when you make a mistake. Wave hello to people. Smile. Listen. Acknowledge them. Small acts of kindness can be contagious, and that is good!

It ought to be very sobering to think of how Jesus Christ, God’s own Son, did not give us the command to put others first without doing so Himself. The compassion He showed us by bearing our sins on the cross could never be matched. But it motivates us to be courteous, kind, and loving to others.



Scripture Focus

Acts 16:13-15

Insight

Make an effort to treat people politely today and watch how your small acts of civility change the dispositions of the people around you.

Bible In A Year

  • Isaiah 39-40
  • Psalm 90
  • Acts 13

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