Happy Jesus is Not Rude; Love is Not Rude Tuesday!

Love is not rude, is not selfish,-1 Corinthians 13:5a.

Even the rebukes of Jesus are from love. Jesus is not rude. Jesus is not a jerk. Jesus thinks about how His behavior and words impact others. If the nature of God is love, compassion, and kindness-why are we seeing such rudeness on display from professing Christians? I see it on social media. I have seen it from pulpits. Encountered it within Christian groups.

Even last night a guy popped on my instagram to accuse me of spreading false prophecy over a post about raising money and awareness to end human trafficking. The post literally said if we pursue justice, stand up against evil, we could see our world change for the better. I blocked him-no harm no foul. It’s not what people call you, it is what you answer to that matters. And to use a slang term, “Aint nobody got time for that!” Prayed for him and moved along.

I was not offended, I am deeply saddened by the way some “Christians” misrepresent Jesus online and in real life. On social media we are not the only people who see our posts and comments. The world watches how we treat each other. If we are nasty to each other what on earth would make them want to be in our family? We talk about God love, yet do we live it? Jesus stated the world would know His disciples by their love, not their titles, church attendance, or political party. Is love present in our communication? Are we rude, sarcastic, and dishonoring? The world watches how we behave.

The Bible says, “Do unto others what you would want done to you.” This principle manifests in our lives in a good way when we abide in Jesus. It manifests in a bad way when we abide in the flesh. The flesh can be quite proud, rude, and petty. Those who live by the Spirit of God are the sons and daughters of God. We are to be Spirit led, not fleshy.

Carnality, like insecurity, is our frenemy (pretends to be of benefit, yet is quite toxic). Carnality is hyper self focused. It does not regard others as better than itself. It just tells it like it is, or does what is best for self. If there are casualties-“oh well, can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.” Carnality cares more about protecting ego than loving people.

Paul said the following about carnality: ..you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?-1 Corinthians 3:3.

Rudeness is a weak person’s imitation of strength or power. People who feel weak or powerless can overcompensate by being rude or nasty to others. It’s far easier to look at the speck in the neighbors eye than focus on the log in our own eye. Especially if there is God love deficit.

The truth is, we are not weak or powerless if we are finding our identity in Christ. It takes His strength to be gentle instead of hostile. In a world of clap backs and insults, His Spirit shows us how to effectively communicate so we address issues without destroying people. Sometimes rebukes are necessary, yet they must be rooted in love. Our power source is Jesus, not our flesh. We don’t have to prove how powerful we are. We abide in love and use His power to lift the broken, not become the person breaking people.

The next time someone is rude to you, understand the issue is most likely something internal they are struggling with; fear, insecurity, feeling powerless, feeling inferior, pride, carnality. If we find ourselves being rude or unkind, may we repent and ask God to fill our love tank.

May you and I be Spirit led not fleshy.

Loving not rude.

Considerate not hostile.

Powerful in Jesus not petty!

Love,

Erin

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