- One of the greatest tests of our character is how we treat people. Especially people of a lower economic or societal status and people who are trying to serve us.
- Whether it’s a waiter/waitress, a security guard, a servant/maid, an employee, a secretary, siblings, children, or a spouse, etc.
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” – Luke 6:31
- How you treat these two categories – those of lower status and those who serve you – tells a great deal about you.
- In my small world and when I’m involved in choosing leaders, I often look out for how people interact with such categories of people and observe such situations.
- Someone rude and demanding to such people or in such situations has a character flaw that I don’t want as part of our team.
Jesus tells us, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31). This is the Golden Rule and may be the simplest, yet most important, character test in the Bible. Rudeness is the weak man’s imitation of strength. It takes no intelligence at all to be rude (Ps Rick Warren).
- The best place to practice this important character trait of respect is with the people closest to us (at home, school, work, church).
- More relationships and even marriages are ruined by rudeness and disregard than anything else.
- Have you noticed that sometimes we’re the most disrespectful to the people we claim to care about the most? (for your self-reflection: why is this the case?)
- Our niches (homes, church family, close friendships) should be safe places to express our emotions and practice forgiveness and grace—but they are too often the place where we think we can get away with the most unkindness.
- This is why Apostle Peter asks us, with all diligence, to add to our faith goodness and brotherly kindness, among others (2 Peter 1:5-11).
Some of us treat our families in ways we would never treat a stranger. Yet in our families— and especially in our families (biological and spiritual)—we need to be understanding, not demanding, and forgiving, not finding fault.
Courtesy is love in the little things. It’s showing grace because we understand there are hidden hurts everywhere. It’s showing respect for people by being kind, even in the smallest areas of our lives.
- What do we need to assume about people to remind us to treat them with respect and grace?
- If your character was being judged by the way you treat people in the two categories, how do you think it would be assessed?
- I want to end with three interpretations Jesus gives of the Golden Rule for us to ponder on:
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.
- Love because of and beyond a different reason from that of the world (v32).
- Do good on a different basis and beyond that of the world (v33).
- Lend with a different motive and beyond that of the world (v34).
May the Holy Spirit reveal to you what these different reasons, bases, and motives are and may He grant us grace to live them out.
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