p. 11 | Christian Courtesy by Francis McLellan Wilcox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 25, 1911

Christian Courtesy

By Francis McLellan Wilcox

THE church of God needs to keep before it continually its family relationship. We should be one in Christ, and must because one in Christ, one with one another. “For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.”

It is only as this divine relationship is recognized, and the spirit which creates it is allowed to control in each individual heart, that there can be preserved in the church of God the bonds of peace and love. Each member of the church possesses an individuality of his own, a temperament peculiar to himself, characteristics which differentiate him from all his fellows. These are due to heredity, to environment, to education. Naturally these varying characteristics found in different members of the church are bound to clash unless they are subordinated to the one controlling Spirit, and unless there is maintained in each heart love for one another, and kindly consideration and courtesy for each and every member of the church.

The apostle Peter recognizes this both in the family and in church relationship: “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” The church of God presents a sad picture to the world when it engages in strife and controversy. By such conduct it gives the lie to its holy profession, and denies the great truth of unity by which Christ says, “The world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me.”

In worldly associations we see the spirit of good fellowship and kindly courtesy manifested from selfish considerations. We see men oftentimes contending over principles, arrayed on opposite sides of some great issue, members of opposing parties, and yet personally a warm fellowship oftentimes exists. If those engaged in the earthly conflict can manifest toward one another this spirit of fellowship and kindly courtesy from motives of policy or self-interest, how much more should the followers of Christ, whose purposes and work should be actuated from above.

In the history of the church and of the world we have now entered upon strenuous times. Sometimes even in the church of God we may be associated with unreasonable men and women. Our views may be opposed by our brethren. Others may employ methods and follow plans widely different from our own. This will require a constant exercise of kindness and courtesy. If we must differ from others as a matter of principle, let us be sure that the spirit of the Master, the spirit of truth, inspires the dissent on our part. The difference which engenders strife and discord and uncharitableness and harsh criticism of others is quite likely not to be a contention for vital truth.

In doing the work of Christ, we must speak first his words, and secondly we must speak his words in his spirit. The failure to do either will repel men rather than win them. It will embitter and never sweeten the hearts of our associates. Sometimes it is necessary for the disciple of the Lord to stand stiffly for truth, even as Paul of old contended for the faith delivered to the saints. In this there may be necessary plainness of speech, but let the plainness of speech be connected with humility of soul.

Sharp drives at an opponent never win him for the Lord. It is by the meekness and gentleness of Christ that the hearts of men are won to the gospel. Let us manifest toward all men kindly Christian courtesy. Whatever the occasion, whoever our opponent, however much in our estimation the cause of truth may be maligned, or our personal character attacked, let us be sure, in standing for the truth, that we do it in Christ’s way and not our own. All through his earthly ministry he dealt with unreasonable men. His pathway was beset by designing spies, who sought continually to entrap him in his words, that they might find occasion against him. All this oftentimes called for plainness of speech. Sometimes, as in the case of the Pharisees and of the cities which rejected his marvelous work, words of denunciation were uttered, yet these were never spoken in anger. While condemning the sin, his heart went out in yearning and pitying tenderness for the sinner; he withstood the evil principle, but sought to draw to himself the men who upheld it.

We need to-day, in the message we are carrying to the world, and in our church relationship, to distinguish between men and principles, between the sin and the sinner who holds it. Christ is our pattern; he is the divine example for every pupil in the school of Christ. Let us see that in our own relationship to all men we correctly represent his character in the words we utter, the sentiments we express, and the spirit which

inspires the utterance. Let us preach the word plainly, faithfully, uncompromisingly; but let us preach it in the spirit of the One whose gospel it is, the spirit of our divine Master.

F. M. W.