Civility

Civil servants whose conduct was uncivil caused a civil conflict.

The citizens wanted less burdens. The leaders promised them more burdens. The Bible says that the king did not listen to the people for this “turn of events was from God, that the Lord might fulfill His Word, which He had spoken by the hand of Ahijah...” [1]

King Rehoboam rejected the advice which older leaders gave him. He preferred the words of his young friends. The older leaders recommended kindness. Rehoboam’s friends recommended burdens. The Bible says, “He [Rehoboam] did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord.” [2]

Rehoboam and his young friends should have leaned on the Lord.

What about you and me? The Bible says that it was evil for Rehoboam not to seek the Lord. Oh wait! That’s right! The first commandment is to love God. How did we miss that?

Betrayal by a buddy is a bitter pill to palate.

“It is not an enemy who reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance.” [3]

David was a king who loved the Lord. His grandson turned his back on the Lord. The nation divided during Rehoboam’s reign.

“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.” [4]

God’s GPS directs us to love. God doesn’t drop us the moment that we disappoint Him. Hatred has a short fuse. Hatred does not get us to a good place.

King David praise God’s Word. [5]

God’s Word teaches us right from wrong. He directs us to “Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” [6]

Love does not fornicate, covet, talk foolishly, vulgarly jest. Love is characterized by a gratitude for God and people. The Bible says, “For this you know that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.” [7]

God’s Word directs us to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” [8]

Following God’s GPS helps us to avoid behavioral pot holes that produce to civil conflicts. He says, “Redeem the time, because the days are evil.” “Understand what the will of the Lord is.” “Do not be drunk with wine.” “Be filled with the Spirit.” “Speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.” “Sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord.” “Give thanks always for all things to God the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” “Submit to one another in the fear of God.” [9]

Let us lean on the Lord for help and strength. Let us trust in Him to convict people to behave with civility. I have found that most motorists drive according to the speed limit when they see a police car. I have found that people eat right when the wrong food hurts them. So, I pray, “Lord, please convict us to read and obey You, otherwise, we tend to disregard You to our own destruction. Please grant us civility towards You and one another. In Name of Jesus Your Son, I pray, Amen.”

[1] 2 Chronicles 10:14-15
[2] 2 Chronicles 10:3-13; 12:14
[3] Psalm 55:12-13
[4] Proverbs 10:12
[5] Psalm 56:10
[6] Ephesians 5:2
[7] Ephesians 5:2-7
[8] Ephesians 5:11
[9] Ephesians 5:16-21