June15,2013
Help – Don’t Hurt
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Matthew 7:12
“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”
- Dalai Lama
How many times do we really treat other people in a way that we would like to be treated ourselves?
How often are we dismissive, inattentive; or on occasion even rude? How many times are we short tempered or do we take out our frustration on the wrong person?
Jesus taught His disciples, and hence us: that we should love the Lord with all our heart, mind and soul and that we should love each other as well.
When we look at the attributes of love in Corinthians, chapter thirteen: I wonder how successful are we at successfully loving each other?
Yet, we want people to love us, respect us, treat us fairly, kindly and we most certainly don’t want people to blame us for things that are not our fault: hold grudges against us when we apologize when things are our fault: and we most certainly don’t want to be misjudged and judged unfairly – yet how often do we do these things to others.
Sadly it has been my experience that some of the most hurtful people and one of the most hurtful places can be found within the walls of the local church. As Christians often I think we demand and expect more from each other while at the same time we give less and less to each other.
We talk avidly about a passion for lost souls, while we treat our brothers and sisters with disdain and disrespect.
Shouldn’t we be the examples for the world: so that when they see us in our halls of worship or outside in the community at large that we are demonstrating that love for each other.
For though we may be kind to the sinner: if we treat the saint badly: the sinner may see this and think – they will be nicer to me if I don’t become one of them.
Sometimes it can be a challenge to treat others well, kindly and compassionately: but maybe if we could step back and think of how we would want to be treated in a similar situation, it might help fashion our behaviors and if that doesn’t work: ask yourself if you would treat Jesus that way. For just as when you do something good for someone – it is the same as doing good to Him – the same truth holds true in reverse. If you are hurtful or mean or judgmental to someone – you are in essence treating Him the same way.
Prayer:
Father, I know I am not always easy for you to love – but you love me anyway: help me to be equally as caring and compassionate for those around me.
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