We live in a day and time when good old fashioned or for that fact, modern courtesy is out of vogue or isn’t taken into high regard. People seem to push and shove and try to get their business done without regard for the rights, feelings, or comfort of others. Crudeness and her cousin, Lewdness, seem to be the norm. It’s as if somewhere, somehow the human race has gotten the notion that each person can and should look out for themselves first, take care of their needs, wants and desires, and then if there is anything left over, reach out to others. By the way that idea is being taught in schools and certainly practiced in the community-it is called the philosophy of autonomy and it is insidious and ruining what little civility we have left.
Everyone would be well served by following the 5th law of scouting:
Scout Law #5: A Scout is courteous.
He is polite to all, especially to women, children, old people, and the weak and helpless. He must not take pay for being helpful or courteous. (p.15)
Also from the manual,
Good manners attract and please, and should be cultivated in every boy who expects to win success and make his life interesting to others. In the home, on the street, in the school, in the workshop, in the office, or wherever he may be, his relationship to others should be characterized as gentle, courteous, polite, considerate, and thoughtful. These are virtues and graces that make life easier and pleasanter for all. (p. 244)
We often make fun of the Apostle Peter as being a rough and rugged, uncultured fisherman, and such he was-before he became a disciple of Jesus Christ. In later years of life wrote these words,
"Finally, all [of you] should be of one and the same mind (united in spirit), sympathizing [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tenderhearted and humble)." I Peter 3.8 (Amplified Bible)
There is no way to read the Gospel accounts of Jesus Christ and not see that He was courteous and encouraged His followers to be courteous as well.
Everyday courtesy involves listening and looking at others when they are speaking to you. It involves not allowing doors to close in other people’s faces. Courtesy is not leaving your mess for someone else to clean up. Courtesy means not interrupting when someone else is speaking. Courtesy means giving up your place in line for someone else. Courtesy demands that you introduce your friends or companions when those unknown to them are speaking with you. Courtesy means addressing strangers as Mr., Ms., or Mrs.; or by their title, Dr, Bro or Rev, or if you are pulled over for speeding, Officer. Christian courtesy means that we respect others, especially other Christians, knowing that God loved them enough to create them and Jesus Christ died for their sins as well as yours.
I often find myself rushing to get things done that I forget all about common courtesy and act very UnChristlike in this area. How about you? This is a chance to vent-what act of discourtesy or disrespect really gets to you? What areas do you need to work on yourself?
