Get What You Give

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12).

A truck driver stopped at a roadside diner for lunch. He ordered a cheeseburger, coffee, and a slice of apple pie. As he was about to eat, three motorcycles pulled up outside. The bikers came in, and one grabbed the trucker's cheeseburger and took a bite from it. The second one drank the trucker's coffee, and the third wolfed down the apple pie. The truck driver didn't say a word. He simply got up, paid the cashier, and left. When he was gone, one of the motorcyclists said, "He ain't much of a man, is he?" "He's not much of a driver, either," the cashier replied, "He just backed his truck over three motorcycles." 

Well there you have the worlds way of dealing with 'you get what you give'. How exhausting to have to live that way.  I don't want to spend my days thinking up creative ways to 'run over motorcycles', live angry, or in a payback existence. So hopeless!

The life of Jesus is the best guide I know on how we’re to treat others.  It's a beautiful way to live and think and be.  When Jesus began His ministry on earth, He didn’t come saying, 'I am God, serve me and do as I say.' When Christ came, one of the many things He showed His disciples (including you and I) was how we’re to treat others. He forgave sins and past mistakes, showed mercy and grace to those who didn’t deserve it, prayed for and served others, helped the poor, healed the sick, reached out to sinners and so much more. If you’re treating people with the love of God, people will not only see your good deeds, but they will also see Christ through you and begin praising Him because of the love of God they’ve experienced through you.

 

On the opposite side of the spectrum, if you’re treating people with anything less than the love of God, people will begin to see your angry flair up and selfish behavior. If you say you love God and have asked Him to be Lord of your life (born again) then you are representatives of Christ here on earth, those witnessing and experiencing your angry moods and self serving actions may begin to have negative thoughts about God.

A pearl to string: How you treat others is a reflection of your relationship with God. You cannot have a growing relationship with Christ and continue to treat people with anything else but the love of God.  The more you read the word of God and the closer you are to Him, the more compassion, love and respect you should have toward others.

'let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven' (Matthew 5:16). 

Be blessed and encouraged in Jesus name

and know you are loved.

                                   Lyndi