Love "Does Not Behave Indecently"

When describing Christian love, the apostle Paul wrote:  "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous. It does not brag, does get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look  for its own interests."  (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5) The original language term translated "behave indecently" to conduct oneself in such a way as to be rude, to lack good manners, or to act improperly. Christian love, on the other hand, takes into consideration the feelings of others. 

We can show Christian love by the way we treat those taking the lead in the congregation.  At times, well-known representatives of the Christian congregation-perhaps circuit overseers, Bethleites, members of the Governing Body as well as their helpers-may attend a convention or theocratic event that we also attend. Naturally, we want to show such brothers and their wives  due respect . None of us would want to imitate the attitude of Diotrephes. He  refused to  welcome the visiting brothers with respect.  (3 John 9, 10) But could we, even unintentionally show a lack of good manners by going the opposite extreme?  How might we do that?  

Note: Jehovah God and Jesus Christ wants us to treat not the congregation, but others with kindness and respect, that is if we are true Christians and have the love for people that God would want us to have; in order to imitate him.   They conveniently forget we are all humans and we are all from Adam and Eve and are all equal in God's eyes.  I am a what you would call a Jehovah's Witness, but I am also logical, objective and analytical in my thinking.  Not everyone is. But I cannot attend meetings,  due to health.   I still follow all of Jehovah's Laws and rules, and have for years; I also read the Bible and do these blogs, because I believe everyone needs God in their life in order to be able to have the same hope of an everlasting life on the new Paradise earth. I try to treat others as I would want them to treat me. 

While we appreciate having an opportunity to meet and talk with visiting brothers and their wives, we would show a lack of respect if we treated such ones as celebrities. For example, would it show good manners to take candid photos of such ones-without permission-while they are eating and engaging in other activities?  Would we ask them to autograph our books and Bibles?  Would we push in front of others to  and aggressively demand that our photo be taken with them?  Surely, none of these actions display true Christian love.  Rather they could show that we have missed the purpose of the visit and hard work that such  faithful ones do in our behalf. What effect could such behavior have on those attending one of our assemblies for the first time?

What will help us to be balances?  First, remember that praise and glory should go to Jehovah.  (Revelation 4:11) Second, realize that there is a big difference between respect and adulation. These brothers and their dear wives want to be treated, not as celebrities, but as our fellow brothers and sisters.  (Matthew 23:8)  Third, apply the Golden Rule:  "Treat others as you would want them to treat you.  (Matthew 7:12)  If we keep these factors in mind, we will be able to show the type of love that "does not behave indecently."  

God loves all of us,we should imitate him and love everyone as well. 

Next time: Working Together With God A Cause for Rejoicing 

From the jw.org publication