How reasonable are you? (Philippians 4:5 & Titus 3:1-3)

How reasonable are you? (Philippians 4:5 & Titus 3:1-3) January 6, 2016

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“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.” ‭‭(Philippians‬ ‭4:5‬)

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. (Titus 3:1-3)

Reasonableness. The same Greek word elsewhere translated gentleness. Surely also related to meekness. 

Not righteous indication. Not aggressive forcefulness. Not irritation. Not self assertiveness. Not ruling over others. Not dominating with a forceful opinion. 

Not anarchy. Not resentment of your bosses. Not dismissive. Not rebellious. Not disobedience. Not working to rule. Not reluctance. Not awkwardness. Not laziness. Not passivity. Not excuse making. Not avoidance of responsibility. Not shirking duties. Not troublemaking. Not gossip. Not putting others down. Not backstabbing. Not succeeding at the expense of others. Not rejoicing when bad things happen to other people. 

 Not being proud. Not thinking of yourself more highly than others. Not putting your own needs first. Not expecting a certain level of service because of your importance. Not seeing certain tasks as beneath you. Not seeing certain people as beneath you. 

Not setting unrealistic expectations. Not becoming frustrated by others who can’t or won’t fit in with your requirements. Not being excessive, greedy, glutinous, or basically selfish. 

Not arguing. Not being cantankerous. Not rejecting friendship offered. Not ignoring others opinions. Not riding roughshod over objections or alternative viewpoints. Not being rough, rude, or in any way abusive. Not blaming frontline workers for the ‘stupid’ policies or failures of a broader company. Not treating call center employees impolitely.  

Not treating people as objects to interact with. Not forgetting to greet and interact with the person in front of you. Not forgetting to thank. Not neglecting to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and at least attempt to feel what they are thinking. Not being nasty.  Not using the fact you are busy as an excuse to be unfriendly.
In short being like Jesus. 

Convicted yet? Maybe just a little bit? 

I know I am. 

Lord, please teach me to be gentle and reasonable. And let it be said of me by everyone I meet: Adrian was really nice, friendly and respectful towards me. 

Will you pray that for me today even as I have also prayed that for everyone who reads these words?


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