What Is the Courtesy and Compassion of Our Faith?

By Pinnacle Message

A small story to open our eyes

Rain tapped the windows of the city bus. An older man climbed aboard, clutching a torn paper bag. The bus lurched; the bag split; apples rolled. Before anyone could sigh, a young woman knelt in the aisle, gathering fruit into her scarf. She smiled, offered him her seat, and rang the bell to help him off at the next stop. Nothing trended. No one applauded. But in heaven’s account, this was worship—an ordinary moment soaked with the courtesy and compassion of Christ.

That is our subject: the everyday holiness of how we treat people.

Exposition: What scripture means by “courtesy” and “compassion”

Courtesy in the language of the New Testament is bound up with gentleness, humility, and honor. Paul urges believers “to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:2). Courtesy is not mere manners; it’s the practiced habit of honoring the image of God in every person (Romans 12:10), shaping our words and posture with grace (Colossians 4:6; Proverbs 15:1).

Compassion is the love that moves. The Gospels say Jesus was “moved with compassion” (Mark 1:41; cf. Matthew 9:36)—not just feeling, but feeling that reaches, touches, heals. The church is commanded to “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12–14). Compassion is mercy made practical: lifting burdens (Galatians 6:2), tending wounds (Luke 10:33–37), and forgiving as we were forgiven (Ephesians 4:32).

Together, courtesy and compassion fulfill “what the Lord requires”: to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). They are the ethics of Calvary: the mind of Christ who laid down His rights to lift us up (Philippians 2:3–5).

Interpretation: How courtesy and compassion preach the Gospel

1. They confess who God is. When we are gentle with the weak and patient with the difficult, we testify that God is gentle and patient with us (Psalm 103:13–14; 1 Corinthians 13:4–7).

2. They confront our pride. Courtesy dethrones self-importance. It teaches us to “outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10), to listen before we speak (James 1:19), and to prefer reconciliation over being “right.”

3. They create room for healing. Compassion moves us toward pain. Like the Samaritan, we cross the road, spend our oil and coin, and promise return (Luke 10:33–35). Mercy is not efficient—but it is holy (Matthew 5:7).

4. They make the church credible. Jesus tied our witness to our love (John 13:34–35). Courtesy at the table, in the comment section, and in traffic either adorns or undermines the Gospel we proclaim (Titus 2:10; Colossians 4:6).

5. They turn strangers into neighbors. Scripture calls us to hospitality without grumbling (Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9). Courtesy opens the door; compassion keeps the light on.

Preaching to the heart: Seven practices for a life shaped by Christ

1. Practice the bowed head before the open mouth.
   Be “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19). Courtesy begins with listening; compassion hears pain beneath opinions.

2. Carry the extra mile quietly.
   Jesus calls us beyond bare minimums (Matthew 5:41). Compassion asks, “What will lighten this person’s load?” (Galatians 6:2).

3. Season every sentence with grace.
   “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6). Courtesy edits sarcasm, rejects contempt, and refuses to be “rude” (1 Corinthians 13:5).

4. Honor the unseen and the unlike.
   “Show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:2). That includes the overlooked coworker, the difficult relative, the stranger who can do nothing for you (Romans 12:16–18).

5. Forgive as you were forgiven.
   “Be kind and compassionate… forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Compassion remembers the cross and releases the debt.

6. Turn mercy into touch.
   Jesus touched the untouchable (Mark 1:41). Courtesy keeps safe boundaries; compassion still finds ways to draw near—through presence, prayer, a meal, a ride, an introduction.

7. Make hospitality a habit, not a holiday.
   “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers” (Hebrews 13:2). Set the table of your life—your schedule, budget, and attention—so someone else can sit, breathe, and heal.

A brief doctrinal frame

• Image of God: Courtesy recognizes divine worth in every person (Genesis 1:27; Zechariah 7:9).

• Incarnation: Compassion moves toward suffering; God came near in Christ (John 1:14).

• Cross & Resurrection: Mercy costs us something (time, pride, resources) because our salvation cost Christ everything (1 Peter 2:24).

• Spirit-filled life: The Spirit produces kindness, patience, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23), empowering what our flesh resists.

A poetic pause

Let my hands be gentler than my opinions,
my steps quicker than my judgments.
Clothe me, Christ, in quiet mercies—
buttons of patience, seams of peace,
a hem of hope that brushes weary feet.
Let courtesy open the door,
and compassion set the table—
until strangers taste Your kindness
and call it home.

Prayer for Pinnacle Message readers

Lord Jesus, You were moved with compassion. Teach us Your manners from heaven—humility of mind, gentleness of speech, courage to draw near. Dress us daily in mercy (Colossians 3:12). Let our homes, churches, and timelines reflect Your kingdom culture: courtesy that honors, compassion that heals. Make our ordinary moments an altar where You are seen and loved. Amen.

Verses to meditate on this week

• Micah 6:8 — Justice, mercy, humility

• Colossians 3:12–14 — Wear compassion like clothing

• Philippians 2:3–5 — The mind of Christ

• Titus 3:1–2 — “Show perfect courtesy toward all people”

• Luke 10:33–37 — The Samaritan’s costly mercy

• Ephesians 4:2, 32 — Gentleness, patience, forgiveness

• Romans 12:10 — Outdo one another in honor

• James 1:19 — Quick to listen

• Hebrews 13:2 — Hospitality to strangers

• Mark 1:41 — Jesus, moved with compassion

Final word: The courtesy and compassion of our faith are not accessories; they are our uniform. Wear them in the doorway, at the desk, on the bus, and at the table—so the world may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).