If you ask a Canadian to describe themselves, many wouldn’t know how to answer. Some would point to the fact that we are not Americans! But if you ask people from other countries, the most common description of Canadians is they are nice. Canadians are generally nice people.

If the same question were to be asked of Christians, what do you think the response would be? Jesus said we would be known to others by our fruit (Matthew 7:16). In Galatians 5, we have a list of the “Fruit of the Spirit.” They are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” These are the characteristics most Christians believe should be evidenced in their lives.

That being said, there is a trait that is closely related to gentleness that should also be characterized in the Christian life. In a way it is very close to how Canadians are perceived by the rest of the world. That word is considerate.

We live in a culture where people’s priorities are often focused on self. Our needs take priority over others. But this attitude is contrary to how Jesus lived and taught and how His followers lived through the centuries.

Paul says it this way in Titus 3: “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”

Right after this, Paul contrasts it with how the people used to be by saying: “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.”

Someone who is considerate sees others as being more important than themselves. But is that the way Christians are often perceived or are we still seen in the light of our “old” selves?

Back in Jesus’ day, there were a group of religious people who walked around preaching their rules and rigidity. They were called Pharisees and believed having an absolute adherence to tradition was key. But in their zeal, they reflected the opposite of what being considerate looks like. Instead of focusing on the letter of the law as the Pharisees did, a person who is considerate would focus on doing what was right.

As Christians, we need to be willing to listen to reason, be fair minded, and humane. Now this is not the same as “if it feels right, do it.” That is a purely humanistic self-centredness attitude that is contrary to being considerate. To be considerate is having the attitude of “what is best for that person.”

My concern though for Christians today is we may be less considerate and humane than we should. I would dare say that there are times Christians come across as being less considerate than many non-Christians. We may think we are standing on principle where in reality we are trying to force our opinion.

Being considerate is an important part of the Christians make up. James 3:17 says, “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” Here, being considerate is seen as part of heavenly wisdom.

If we want to be wise in God’s eyes, we must cultivate this trait into our lives. This will only come as we take time to learn from our Lord in His Word and allow His Spirit to transform us so that we can be the grace-filled considerate people of God whose lives and attitudes reflect the Gospel to a needy world.