I realized
after I posted the last submission I had not included any biblical foundations
for appropriate ways to be nice to others. We have to admit that the times have
changed. What found approval two thousand years ago may no longer be met in
such fashion today. Humanity is the poorer because of that.
Noah
(Genesis 6:9) and Job (Job 1:1) both received complimentary remarks. Their
praise came because of obedience to the will of the Lord. King David was called
a “man after God’s own heart” because of his submission to God. (I Samuel
13:14) It is rare if ever that a prophet of God received any word of praise for
his faithful fulfillment of his calling.
Mary found
favor in the eyes of God, but we are not told why. (Luke 1:28-30) Jesus praised
Peter when he pointed out that Peter’s insight into Christ’s origin and purpose
was a product of his faith. (Matthew 16:17) In the parable of the three
servants in John 25, the master compliments two of them with the words, “Well
done, good and faithful servants…” The victorious Lord in the book of
Revelation compliments several of the seven churches because of their
faithfulness in the face of heresy and persecution. (Revelation 2:6, 9, 13, 19;
3:4, 8) On numerous occasions the Apostle Paul praises churches to whom he is
writing and coworkers for their faithful service for him and with him. (ex. Romans
1:8; Philippians 1:3-5; 2:19-30; I Thessalonians 1:2-3; II Thessalonians 1:3)
In all these
cases compliments and supportive words come from the context of faithfulness to
the divine command. Are we to believe that material objects and general
appearance are of such low importance to God that he expects us to ignore them
and look only on the actions of others as they relate to their obedience to his
commands?
Jesus was
not afraid of touch. He described the citizens of the Kingdom of God by taking
a child in his arms. Many of his miraculous healings took place through the
involvement of touch. People touched him and were healed. Jesus was not afraid
of touch, but there was purpose when he did, and it was always for the benefit
of the individual he touched.
When the
Apostle Paul handed out praise, he was bragging on individuals to others who
would be stirred to greater works in light of the efforts made by others. He
spoke to build people up, to encourage them in the face of the struggles confronting
the first century Church.
From these
examples there are lessons to be learned. These lessons begin with a word from
the New Testament description of heavenly wisdom. (James 3:17) The first
quality of wisdom is purity. Little else matters if purity is not at the heart
of what we think, say, or do. Any touch or word of praise must come from the
purest motivations, or its ability to build up and encourage is diminished or
lost altogether.
A similar
lesson might be described as Kingdom effect. Jesus improved people’s lives
through forgiveness and miracles as a way to reveal the nature of the Kingdom
of God. The Kingdom is all about healing, restoration, and an awareness of
God’s nature and will. Jesus touched people to introduce them to the heavenly
Father. He forgave them to restore them to the relationship the Father wanted.
To build people up was to bring them to the Father and help them live in his
love.
Human nature
has a sinful side we cannot escape. Yet as believers we are still called to
reveal the Kingdom of God by what we say and do. Perhaps it is not the
attractive young woman with hair brushed and an outfit color coordinated that
needs our compliment. Perhaps it is the individual who has gone too long since
having heard anything positive. Perhaps all that is needed for that lonely
individual is the touch of another’s presence. Time freely given can work
miracles and “a word spoken at the right time is like golden apples on a silver
tray.” (Proverbs 25:11 HCSB)
