The Scriptured Life: Etiquette

The Scriptured Life: Etiquette

Etiquette is doing the right thing when the wrong is ever present. What does etiquette have to do with scripture? Well, etiquette is the way to do something according to a set standard. It is more difficult to obey the standard set than to do it the individual way. The same is with the word of God. It is much easier to set our own way of life than the way God has set for us. Let us assume we ignored the basic standards of dining etiquette as we do the standards God has set for us. Imagine there were no forks at the table and everyday was like pizza day. Using your fingers to eat spaghetti and soup in the stead of a knife and spoon. Oh, yeah, no need for napkins. Just wipe that gooey stuff right on your clothes. Drink right out of the pitcher and reach over the plates of others to get what you need. How awful. Well, seemingly, that is how we treat the word- like a dinner with no etiquette. No respect for basic requests God makes of us, such as honor thy neighbor as thyself. Love your wife as Christ loves the church. Be obedient to your parents. Do not let the sun go down on your anger and serve the LORD your God with all your heart, mind and soul. Just the basics ignored lead to a sloppy life. Fingers filled with the grime of the world- hearts no purer than the bottom of a shoe. Well, I suppose that is why I am so passionate about etiquette. My mantra still stands: A person with no etiquette is as a pencil with no point- they both have endless possibilities when sharpened. Press toward the mark today. Be polite and obedient. God bless.

Caarne White