“We teach people how to treat us…”

That statement was made to me recently and is helping me tremendously!  “WE teach people how to treat us…”   I (!) have a great amount of control and input into how people treat me!  To a degree, MY own actions contribute to the way people treat ME.

If that is true, the question becomes… “What kind of input do I contribute that effects how people treat me?”

goldDo unto others as you would have the do unto you.” Is it possible that the way people treat you is an outworking of what Jesus said?  As much as we’d hate to consider that thought, maybe the way people treat you IS the way you have been or are treating them.  OUCH!

If you want to be respected… respect others.

If you want to be forgiven… forgive others.

If you want to be heard… listen to others.

If you want to be shown mercy… be merciful to others.

If you want to be shown grace… be graceful to others.

If you want to be taken seriously… take others seriously.

If you want to be loved unconditionally… love others unconditionally.

If you want to be treated kindly… be kind to others.

If you don’t want to be insulted… don’t insult others.

It is a hard thing to consider that when we don’t like how people treat us that it is possible that we treated others that way FIRST!  That means there is a distinct probability that the way we are treated is a result of how we treat others.  Ouch again!

The motivation of the Christian to proper relationships with others is because of how our conduct reflects upon Christ, Christianity, and the Church.  It is NOT so that we have an easier life or better self esteem.  Our goal is that through our life, conduct, and words that God is glorified.  We are the first Gospel people are exposed to!