"Do to others as you would like them to do to you." ~ Luke 6:31 NLT
Treat others the way you want to be treated!
Take that statement literally and apply it to EVERY aspect of your life. I know we have all heard this before, but sometimes we fail to actually live it out.
If someone attempts to start an argument with you, what would you do? Depending on the situation, some of us may get defensive. If someone treats you unkindly, will you still treat them with love?
Jesus goes on to say in Luke 6:32-36 NLT, "If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for full return. Love your enemies. Do good to them. Lend without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for He is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate."
Here's the thing: Jesus died while we were still sinners. We never deserved anything. We don't deserve to be in His presence nor do we deserve to be loved and cared by Him. He knew He would be rejected by us, yet during His ministry He still treated everyone in love. When the Pharisees treated Him horribly, did He treat them horribly as well? No, He didn't. When He rose from the grave, after His crucifixion, did He rise in fury and destroy everyone who yelled "Crucify Him"?
God loved us, even when we didn't love Him back. Even now, even as a Christian with many faults and broken pieces, God still loves us! God still cherishes us.
So why should we treat anyone any different? These people, these people who treat you terribly, whether they are a believer or not, are also loved by God. And when we treat them the way we want to (which is usually anger or the cold shoulder), what does that say about our character? Aren't we supposed to live like Jesus did? Aren't we supposed to take Jesus as an example for how we should live?
We are called to live with compassion: to treat others the way we want to be treated, even when they don't treat us the same way back.
But this doesn't just apply to our enemies, or the people we dislike. This also applies to friendships.
If you want a friend who will reach out to you during the week, be that friend! If you want a friend that puts in the effort to talk to you, be that friend! If you want a friend that will listen to your problems, be that friend!
Live humbly, and don't expect anything in return.
I know it's hard. But ask yourself this: when you turned away from God, when you walked away from Him, even though all He ever did was love you, how hurt do you think that made Him?
Don't bury your feelings; we are allowed to have them. But don't act upon them if they aren't godly.
Love others. Be compassionate. However you wish to be treated, treat others the same way. Do your part. It takes one to make a difference. Maybe that person who yelled at you in anger needed some love. Maybe that person who hurt your feelings was already hurt. And lastly, be that friend that you would want. Be that friend who reaches out, that puts in the effort. Be that friend!
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