This world is in great need for instruction on how to treat others. The Bible tells us that even during Jesus life here upon the earth that, “. . . men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil (John 3:19).” Every day that we live we are wrestling, not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). The key to how we treat everyone is to love. I John 2:10-11 says, “He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.”
Jesus gives clear instruction on how we are to treat everyone. He says in Matthew 7:12, “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.” Do to others what you want them to do to you. If all followed this rule often called “Golden,” then all of the problems of this world would be solved.
Romans 13:8-10 says, “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
We should love everyone. We should put others before ourselves. We should go forth to teach the Gospel to the lost (Matthew 28:18-20). We should bear each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). We should be there for each other in any way. If someone asks us to go a mile, we ought to go two (Matthew 5:41).
We are to treat everyone with good will. In fact, we are to even love our enemies (Luke 6:27). Following the “Golden Rule” applies to how we treat everyone: God, our family, our friends, and our enemies.
Before we take any action, think any thought, or say anything, we should first ask, “If I were in this other person’s shoes, would I want that done to me?” If we find that what we are about to do or say is contrary to Scripture, then we simply should not do it.
Let us all seek each day to treat others as we would want to be treated in every way. This is what Christ did, and this is what we should do!
-Jason Gann, TBC Registrar
