Mind Your Manners

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. 

Philippians 1:27

We all glanced around, wondering who would go first in front of the dairy case. I needed cream cheese. After a woman finished her selection, I moved forward to grab mine. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed an elderly gentleman patiently leaning on his cart across the aisle. 

Did I step in front of him? Oh, no, I didn’t mean to!

Quickly I closed the cooler door and turned to apologize, expecting him to be impatient and irritated with me. After all, most everyone in the grocery store seemed to be buzzing around like angry bees ready to sting, intent on defending their space and getting their stuff, darting furtive, suspicious glances at each other in passing.

We are in this together, the gentleman said, with smiling eyes.

I breathed a sigh of relief as my face spread into a big grin under my mask.

How wonderful to encounter patience, kindness, and grace in the grocery store during a global pandemic.

Manners matter, no matter what happens. Kindness comforts. Patience pardons. Grace gives.

The thing is, the manner in which followers of Christ conduct themselves say everything about Who they follow. What do you want to tell the worried folks in the grocery store, the take-out line, the post office, about Jesus today? 

Mind your manners, for they have the power to display the very Gospel of Jesus Christ. #Covid19 #socialdistancing #iamsecond Share on X

What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Simply put, the Gospel is the good news that God loved us so much He sent His only son Jesus to rescue us from sin and shame. Those who believe in Him are forgiven their sins, their shame is removed, and they are granted eternal life.

Sound crazy? So does a global pandemic with everyone around the world ordered to stay in their homes, wear masks and gloves when they do go out, and stay six feet apart. And how about the people who are spraying themselves down with Lysol in store parking lots? These are crazy definitely crazy times.

The Gospel is real, and we need it. The bad manners on display during Coronavirus are just a glimpse of the potential inside all of us. Fear makes us mean. Lack of control makes us irritable. Disappointment makes us angry. We need something, Someone, greater than ourselves, to help us move beyond ourselves.

The Gospel invites us just as we are, harried, fretful, fearful, worried, unemployed, unsure, grouchy, irritable, impatient, and defensive, to come. Come to God through Jesus the Patient, the Gentle, the Just, the Defender, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Just come as you are.

Wow! Who would have thought manners could communicate so much?

That sigh of relief I breathed when I encountered the kindness and patience of a man in the grocery store today was just a snapshot of what our souls long for when we face God red-handed in the middle of our mistakes. 

We’re in this together.

God has never left us alone. From the very first mistake humanity ever made in the garden of Eden, God has been pursuing us. Through Jesus Christ, He offers grace and forgiveness to all who will trust in Him.

If my conduct can communicate to another person a glimpse of the Gospel, it’s worth being kind and patient as I wait my turn. 

Lord, help me be kind during this time of uncertainty and fear in our world. Let my conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ. Amen.

@audreycfrank

If you have never trusted Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, ask Him now. Send me an email at audrey@audreyfrank.org and I’ll help you with the next step in your relationship with God.