We all like to have good things done for us and to us.
It’s nice to receive a spontaneous gift, get a helping hand or have someone offer to do a load of work for you.
But how many of us realise that, often, the kindness we so desire from others, is often determined by how we treat others.
Matthew 7:12 (NKJV) confirms it by saying:
Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Do to Others What You’d Want Them to Do to You
Through the Word, God teaches us the importance of doing to others what we would like them to do to us.
Do you love it when your wife makes you your favourite meal?
Why not make your wife her favourite meal?
Do you wish someone would clear the kitchen for you?
Why not clear the kitchen for someone else?
But unfortunately, we often prefer to be the people receiving, not the people giving. Not many people want to be the one to spend time, money or energy on someone else.
Yet as a Christians, it is important that you change your attitude with regards to this because the kindness and love you offer to others, is the same kindness and love you will one day receive.
The same goes for the cruelty or hate that you give as well. For, as the well-known saying goes, what goes around comes around.
What Goes Around Surely Comes Back Around
Whoever digs a pit, will fall into it and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
Proverbs 26:27 (NKJV)
It’s easy to focus on being kind to others so that you can receive kindness back. But the reverse is also true.
As this verse in Proverbs confirms, whatever evil you intend for others will come back to you.
This mean you must be as careful and conscious of your negative actions as you are of your positive ones.
Before you act, ask yourself:
Would I want to be treated in the same way by someone else?
How would I feel if someone acted like this towards me?
If you get into the habit of considering such things, you will be more careful about the words you speak and the things you do.
Another good way to assess your behaviour towards other people, is by asking yourself What kind of seed am I planting?
You Reap What You Sow
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows that he will also reap.
Galatians 6:7 (NKJV)
You plant a seed through your actions and words. You can either plant a seed that will grow into life. Or one that will lead to death.
Your seeds can bring a blessing or a curse.
And whatever it is you sow, you will also one day reap.
It’s a similar principle as Matthew 7:12 that encourages us to do to others what you would like them to do to you.
Likewise, you must plant the kind of seed you would like to reap.
Don’t sow hatred if you would like to reap love.
Don’t sow cruelty if you would prefer to reap kindness.
Don’t sow death if you would love to reap life.
Treat others the way you would like to be treated, always being aware that your actions will come back to you, in one form or another.
As you do this, it’s also important to remember who exactly you are doing all this for, God.
Honour Your Relationship With God
As a Christian, you must honour your relationship with God above all else.
Remember the way He has treated you.
Remember the kindness, grace and love He has poured out on you.
Remember how He would want you to treat others.
It’s also always helpful to remember that, regardless of who someone is, what they have done or even how they have treated you, they are also God’s creation.
They are also God’s child.
God also loves them.
Jesus also died for them.
So treat them as such.
Treat them with the grace and love God treated you with. And with the same grace and love you would want to receive in return.
