Rude and Self-seeking

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

RUDE AND SELF-SEEKING

1 Cor 13:4-7

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

NIV

Love is not rude. The Greek word aschemoneo has a direct meaning of to be unbecoming or to act in an unbecoming manner. This is another one of those hand-and-glove relationships with not being self-seeking. Here there are two Greek words that, when joined together, have the meaning of plotting for oneself, which certainly is acting unbecomingly. However, rudeness is being impolite, discourteous, uncivil, and disrespectful. Rudeness can also be ungracious, or graceless. It is doubtful that any Christian would act in that manner, although we do wonder if seek-seeking isn’t more active within the body of Christ than we want to think. We desire that we are never about seeking our own benefit using whatever means possible to achieve our goals. One of the goals that could be at the forefront of self-seeking is wanting to be seen as being a “Good Christian” doing great things for the kingdom, doing all the right “Good deeds”, and thus seeking praise from people. That is looking good in their eyes, so it bolsters our self-image. This might also be seen as being that “Know it all” especially when it comes to the scriptures, but it is not limited to them. Being like that would also fit the description of being rude or acting unbecomingly. We need to examine our hearts and see if there is any offensive way within. Do we listen more than we talk? Do we think we are always right? Are we more interested in our agenda and profit than the agenda and advancement of others? But on the other side of the coin, shouldn’t the others be more interested in our plan and advancement in the kingdom of God, or the body of Christ, although if we love others we would not have our own plans and seeking advancement. Shouldn’t others listen to us more than their own self-interests? This is a whole-body thing, and it should not be seen as one bad apple among all the “Good guys”. We need to take a close look within and allow God to examine our hearts revealing to us the changes we need to make in order to fulfill loving our neighbor as ourselves. If we do that, then we need not be concerned about being rude and self-seeking.