Matthew 7:12 NIV
12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Luke 6:31 KJV
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
After we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, comes the most important thing we must do in our Christian walk. The absolute most important thing we do, as we live and walk in our small circle of the world.
As discussed in other lessons, there are several things we must do as Christians in order to maintain spiritual growth and a closer walk with God. Prayer, meditation and studying God’s word are among them.
However, in our daily life as a believer… as the “light of the world”, the most important thing we do is to treat all people the way that Jesus would treat them. With love, respect, kindness, patience and forgiveness.
Whether on the phone or on-line where we have some anonymity, or in person, how we treat others demonstrates and exemplifies how we view and live the teachings of Jesus.
Humans have an innate trait of leaning toward self-centeredness. The “survival of the fittest” philosophy, if you will.
Is this what Jesus taught? Absolutely not.
Quite the opposite, as self-centeredness is where Satan strives to direct us. In fact, he pushes us in this direction.
JESUS GAVE US THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS JOB
However, as a Christian, there are no shortcuts or substitutions for treating people as we want to be treated. We must love others as God loves us. We must treat others, as Jesus would treat them.
What is the standard to go by? The gold standard, actually.
The “golden rule” says that we must do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
In other words, treat others as we want to be treated.
Why is this the gold standard?
We are back to that innate human trait of self-centeredness. We know how we want others to treat us, therefore we must treat them in the same manner.
A good place to start is with serious reflection of our attitudes and actions toward others. Not just those people that we consider friends, but ALL people.
Next, we need to consider what things might cause us to treat people in ways that we shouldn’t?
Regardless of what someone has done to us, or what feelings or biases we might have, we must live and react in a way that shines the “light of God” on a world of darkness.
Otherwise, our Christianity and beliefs are invisible to others and our witness is null and void.
JESUS SET THE EXAMPLE FOR THIS JOB
Jesus said “Father forgive them”, referring to those who were in the process of crucifying Him. Please think about that for a few minutes and meditate upon it.
Jesus died for every one of them who condemned Him. He died for those who drove the nails through His hands and feet. He died for everyone since that day, who reject Him. He died for everyone who defiles His name.
God loved us while we were yet sinners. Jesus demonstrated this love on the cross of Calvary. We are to love ALL people with NO exceptions and God expects NO LESS from us.
HOW DO WE FARE ON OUR JOB EVALUATION?
How we treat others is what others who are watching, see in us.
THIS is what validates what we claim to be. In short, treating others as Christ taught us, validates our words.
On the other hand, if we do not treat people with love, respect, kindness, patience and forgiveness, this action as seen by others will cancel out our words, again making them and our witness null and void. We become a modern day “Pharisee” where we proclaim righteousness, but do not live it.
As a Christian, if we are walking in the Spirit, the Spirit will be our guide, directing us in the ways or paths we should go.
We are to show the world who God is. We are to show the world what it means to have Jesus Christ as our savior. We are to show the “light” of the gospel to a world full of darkness.
We cannot just do this with our words.
If our actions do not match our words, then they are meaningless and we cause the world to question God.
However, if our actions match our words, the world truly does see the “light” and the essence of God, hopefully wanting to know more about Him.
Everything we profess to believe boils down to this one thing that God expects from us.
We cannot ignore the words of Christ and the many scriptures that tell us how we must interact with others. Unfortunately, many who profess their faith, do so.
How are WE doing?
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Ephesians 4:31-32 KJV
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
John 15:12 KJV
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Philippians 2:4 NIV
4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Matthew 6:14-15 NIV
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Philippians 2:3 NIV
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
RVH