2008-06-20 10:49:00
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you" (Matthew 7:12).
I once witnessed a contractor verbally berate a young man who worked for him as he was teaching him the trade. Later I talked to the young man briefly and he was near tears from the abusive treatment and his confidence was nearly zilch. I placed my arm around his shoulder and sought to encourage him. The particularly sad thing is that the contractor claimed to be a Christian.
I looked the young worker right in the eye and asked, "What is the golden rule?" He immediately answered, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." He got my point. It's a sad aspect of fallen human nature that so often we do unto others as has been done unto us. I have particularly heard of this phenomenon in regard to both child and spousal abuse.
A real mark of Christian character change is breaking this cycle. I have seen it. A child raised in an abusive home is transformed into a godly husband and father, treating his wife and children with love and kindness. An employee who spent years under a nasty supervisor ascends to a supervisory position and treats his employees with kindness and respect.
What about you today? Most of you, at least to some degree, have known or experienced some type of abuse or unfair treatment. Is that how you want to be treated? How are you treating others? May the transforming power of Christ impact each of our lives this day and may we conscientiously do unto others as we would have them do unto us!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, we need the prompting of Your Holy Spirit to keep us in check regarding our conduct toward others. May we not dismiss our improper behavior by blaming it on our upbringing or make up other excuses. Instead we take responsibility for our behavior as we want to glorify you and be a blessing to others. Would You help us to love people as we want to be loved. Help us to give the benefit of the doubt as we want others to give us. Help us to be quick to forgive and slow to anger. May we treat others in the same way that we ourselves want to be treated. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.
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