It’s really hard to be courteous to everyone always. Actually, it seems impossible.
Not long ago I wrote a Saturday Sermon about a text in the New Testament that commands Christians to be courteous to all people (Titus 3:2). I wrote that sermon because there was a lot (I mean a LOT) of negative talk about presidential candidates going on among Christians.
Interestingly enough, the verse just before that verse about being courteous to all people reads, “Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good” (Titus 3:1, NLT). Then verse 2 reads, “They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone” (Titus 3:2, NLT).
I think the most important part of that verse in light of recent events is “They [read “we”] must not slander anyone…”. As hard as this command is for many, are we ready to obey it? Is it even possible?
Jesus raises the bar even higher than the text from Titus. He says, “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell” (Matt. 5:21–22). Really? I can’t even call someone an idiot if I’m a Christian? Yes, that’s correct.
One of the reasons it seems so impossible to live up to this New Testament standard is because it seems like slander is such a common, natural thing (especially in political conversations). Its hard to swim against that current. When all the conversations around us seem to be slanderous, it becomes the norm. It becomes natural. Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit to convict us and empower us to not simply follow the trends. Christians, we are to be set a part.
So, why is it so important that we don’t slander? Why is it so important that we don’t hate others? The answer is simple. It’s because all people (yes ALL) are made in the image of God. This has serious implications for how he think about people, talk about people, and treat people—especially people who aren’t like us. When we slander, hate, and name call, it proves that we’ve forgotten this core biblical truth that is intended to orient all of our human relationships.
There are (at least) three major implications of the fact that all people are made in the image of God. First, because all humans are made in the image of God, we are all eternal beings (not eternally pre-existent, but our souls live on forever once created). Second, because we’re made in the image of God, we are all unique. No two people are the same because God is involved with the creation of all people. His precious fingerprint is on every human being. Third, because we’re all made in the image of God, we’re all equal. All barriers, whether it be economic, racial, religious, or gender, do not determine the value of a person. All people are equal because we’re all made in God’s image (this doesn’t mean that all are saved, by the way).
Lastly, while it seems impossible, the Holy Spirit is here to help us. He not only reminds us of Jesus’s teaching, but also sustains us with his abiding power. Let’s cooperate with the Holy Spirit by setting trends within our areas of influence of being courteous to all people. Let’s not do this simply because it’s the “right” thing to do, but let’s do it because all people are made in God’s image.
