Corona Devo 1771

Manners have always been important to me, and I know that this is because they were important to my parents and grandparents before me.  I learned manners from my elders, but where do "manners" come from?  

If "manners" means "treating people right", then where do we "get" or learn manners?  

Turns out, treating people well is God's idea, and (in the Bible), He even provides specifics about how to treat others.  

Of course--it all begins with loving one another, and the only way that we know how to do that is once we realize (how sinful we are) and how much God loves us (anyway).  

This awareness and knowledge of God's love for us breaks us a little. 

It's too good to be true.  

And then, once we learn to accept this truth (as best we can)...then this love-of-God allows us to love others in similar ways and with similar freedom.  Humans are not fully capable of unconditional love (like God), but understanding and accepting God's love....gets us a little bit closer to loving others more fully.  

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  ~I John 4:7

And today the Bible educates us on how to love certain people well, or (if you will): the "manners" of loving certain people well.   

Let's see how we rate.

And if we look close, God also gives clues to the type of life we should be living.  See if you can find some of His benchmarks for a good woman and a good man.

Bible Manners: Today's Lesson:

Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. 

Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. 

(2) Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.  

(3) Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her. (4) But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God.  

(5) Now a true widow, a woman who is truly alone in this world, has placed her hope in God. She prays night and day, asking God for his help. (6) But the widow who lives only for pleasure is spiritually dead even while she lives. (7) Give these instructions to the church so that no one will be open to criticism.  

(8) But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.  

(9) A widow who is put on the list for support must be a woman who is at least sixty years old and was faithful to her husband. (10) She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly?  Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good?...

(16) If a woman who is a believer has relatives who are widows, she must take care of them and not put the responsibility on the church. Then the church can care for the widows who are truly alone.  

(17) Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. (18) For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”...

(21) I solemnly command you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the highest angels to obey these instructions without taking sides or showing favoritism to anyone.  ~I Timothy 5:1-10, 16-18, 21

~~~

"Mind your manners."

And, now that we know God's standards in relation to certain populations, are we minding Him?

Who comes to our mind when we read these verses?  

Are we doing/living/loving them in accordance with Biblical standards?  If so, This is something that pleases God (I Timothy 5:4).

Or--are we lacking manners of love in some circles or with certain populations, or with some people in our family?

When I was young, I can remember being chastised if I acted or spoke with bad manners.  But God's Word is frightening to those of us who know better but are not living (better) in love: But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers (I Timothy 5:8).

Good manners are taught.  No one grows up wanting to share toys or preferring that someone else goes in front of them in line.  

But the Lord models love for all of us.  He sent His Son to cover our sins, and He gives us His Word to teach us His (good) ways.  

When it comes to serving Christ, we want good manners.  

How can we demonstrate them to someone today?

This is something that pleases God.  ~I Timothy 5:4

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com