Do all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect? Maybe not, but I would hope so. If we’re being honest, I think it’s easier to treat people based on their merits. If they are nice to you, it’s not hard to reciprocate. But if you’re not being treated well, it’s almost effortless to respond in kind. Why is that?
Growing up, I always heard the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. That’s great, but how? How do we swallow our pride and turn the other cheek? It’s simple: we can’t – at least not on our own strength. We need to look somewhere else for help. That reminds me of what the Psalmist says:
He (God) does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him.
Psalm 103:10-11
We aren’t treated the way we deserve to be treated. We’re treated better. God has every right to turn his face from us. But instead, looks on us with love. He embraces us. How then should we respond to God? By simply showing that same love to others. So let us choose to treat the people in our lives with that same dignity and respect.
So whether or not people deserve to be treated well, remember that God hasn’t treated you by your worth… he simply showed you love. I hope you’ll do the same.
Consider this:
– Do you find it hard to treat people well? Or certain types of people?
– What’s your natural reaction to being disrespected?
– What’s one thing you can take away from this?
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