Articles
Treat People Right
Treat people right. Is there something about that which is hard to understand? When we focus on treating others right, we have no time for evil surmising, bitterness, or ill will. We must strive to be the kind of person that speaks good things about people to others; even tell other people good things face to face. Want to make someone’s day? Treat them right.
How do we treat people when we treat them right? We treat people right when we have learned to fulfill the royal law: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Rom. 13:9, NJKV). Love does no harm to another. The only thing we owe one another is love (Rom. 13:8). What does that look like? It is seen by action and measured by sacrifice. We treat people right when they agree with us, for sure. But the challenge is to treat them right and give them what we owe them when they do not agree with us. When there is a real difference of opinions, how do we treat each other? Do we speak to them? Do we avoid them? Do we turn and walk away? Do we tell others how bad the other person is? No, none of these things are expected. What is expected is to do them good, pray for them and say good things about them (Matt. 4:44). Why? Because that makes us like the Father. Notice, He sends rain and sunshine on the good and the evil (Matt. 5:45). The way we treat people is not based on reciprocity. Anyone can do that (Matt. 5:46-47). Our real challenge is to love like God loves.
Also, we treat people right when we look to their future. We all have one thing in common: we all have a past. We also have one more thing in common: we all have a future. When we hold the past over someone’s head and never let them move to their future, we are not treating them right. We treat people right when we help them put the past in the past. Then we help them build their future and concentrate on the good they can do and service they can offer. People change and grow. But people cannot grow forward if they are always being reminded of their past failures. This is one time a good case of amnesia would be helpful. When we see people for what they can be, not for who they were, we help them build their future. It is not who we were, but who we are becoming that really matters. Treat people right by helping them reach spiritual maturity.
Further, we treat people right when we treat them with kindness. Not because they are kindhearted, but because we are. One of the greatest gifts we can give another is kindness. If someone is in need, give them a helping hand. Don't do it only for the people you like and respect--that's easy--but also for the ones who drive you crazy and those you don't even know. True kindness lies in the act of giving without the expectation of getting something in return.
Finally, we treat people right when we appreciate those who have supported us, forgive those who have hurt us, and help those who need us. If we treat people this way, we will never go wrong. There are just some things that we will have to let go of. Some things will never be set as right as we would like. But forgiving and healing those who need it, is kind. It beats bitterness, holding a grudge, and a jaded look at others. When we cannot let go of our past, we will be mired in the discouragement of the world. When someone cannot let go of our past, they lose, not you.
Treat all people--including yourself--with love and compassion, and you can't go wrong. Treat people the way you want to be treated and life will instantly get better.
Rickie Jenkins
