God Our Father - Part 7

Love does not behave rudely.  This is what 1 Corinthians 13:5 tells us.  The Amplified translation of this Scripture says, "love is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly."  God is love according to 1 John 4:8 and 16 so this tells us that God does not behave rudely.  

Being rude is not showing courtesy or demonstrating what we call social graces.  God never exhibits a lack of respect for people.  You never see Jesus being disrespectful in His ministry.  God does not force His way on people, He does not push others out of the way, or speak harshly and disrespectfully.  God does not yell over the top of others to make sure His opinion is heard.  God does not talk down to people.  With 100% purity God combines love and truth.  His knowledge is perfect and His expression of that knowledge is perfect. In other words, God is at home with all people no matter their station in life, their gender, or their race.  Let's look at this truth expressed in the earthly ministry of Jesus. 

Scripture: (Take the Lowly Place) Luke 14:7 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: 8 "When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. 11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

• If anyone could parade His power and glory and demand the best seats in a dinner it would be God.  After all He is the maker, creator, and sustainer of all life.  If anyone could position Himself in the company of the highest and best in this world it would be God. But this is not the nature of love.  The God kind of love prefers others above Himself.  If we think about this, God (love) does not even demand the best place in our individual lives, even though He deserves it.  No, the Lord humbles Himself and chooses to allow us to give Him the seat in our lives we choose.
• Jesus demonstrates in this teaching that God is not into politics, He loves us because He is love.  God's love and ways are 100% pure in motivation.  (Luke 6:27-36).
• God (love) is not impressed with what humanity is impressed with.  Humanity is impressed with power, position, popularity, money, and natural possessions.  God is impressed with humility, faith, and love.  Proverbs puts it this way, Proverbs 16:32 Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. (NLT)  These are characteristics of God's nature.  

Love is not rude.  Love prefers others, it does not push itself forward at the expense of others.  This is how God loves us and this is how God loves the world.  This is the nature of God!

In Christ, Pastor Sean