“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35.
Recently I attended a ladies’ meeting, the topic of discussion was ‘relationships’. Sadly, many of the women including myself, were hurt by others within the body of Christ. A lot of them have become very cautious of people, their faith in God was strong and they did forgive, but they were still hurting. That’s because you forgive someone doesn’t mean the pain will automatically go away. Some things do take time, especially when you have given people a chance and been kind to them.
On my way home, it made me think about the importance of valuing others. Often time this subject is very overlooked. If a Christian gets hurt by another; we have this, ‘they will get over it’ attitude, as they have to forgive.
People can also be put in a hierarchical position. For example, ‘this person is not that important, so I don’t need to get back to them.’ However if something is needed from them, they will get put back in the priority list.
Guess what? Feelings are not hierarchical. That’s because someone is a brother or sister in Christ, doesn’t mean they don’t get hurt, and they should be treated anyhow.
In fact the above scripture tells us, ‘by this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another,’ and ‘therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers,’ (Galatians 6:10)
To me, the Lord emphasises in His word that believers must VALUE each other.
How do you value your relationship with others? Do you toss someone aside when you get what you need from him or her? Do you not return their phone calls or emails because you don’t see them as important? Do you talk to them rudely, manipulate them or control them? Do you show them the love of God?
Brethren how we treat people can affect their emotional well being, it can do them harm or good. That is why this topic, should not be treated as trivial. Whether it’s a business, friendship, or an intimate relationship, people have feelings. The Lord clearly tells us in His word, ‘Do unto to others as you would have them do to you,’ (Luke 6:31)
You don’t have to be at peoples beck and call all the time, but what we must do is show people the love of God, especially within the body of Christ. Sometimes we tend to give unbelievers more love and respect than believers. Brethren, this shouldn’t be so.
Let’s think about how we are treating others. Let us not be a hindrance or disappointment in a person’s life; rather, let us be a blessing and let us love one another, as Christ loved us.
‘Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoeveR does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.’ (1 John 4:20)
By Vanessa Grossett
Vanessa is a Literary Agent at the Authors Care Agency. She is also a columnist for the UK’s largest gospel magazine – Keep The Faith. She was born in London and raised in a Catholic home. Years after becoming a born again Christian, she published her first book called ‘Don’t Look Back – The Harmful Consequences for Backsliding’, in the year 2010. Read more of her beautiful writing here: https://www.
