Why should we treat others kindly?

Because God has forgiven us for our transgressions, we should forgive and be kind others.

Proverbs 14:21 - "Whoever despises their neighbor sins, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy."

"The enemy is always looking for ways to pull us off into a wrestling match over religious and political topics. He wants our focus wrapped up in trivial issues or bent out of shape over corruption happening left and right. He wants us unhinged over some issues and enraged over others. He wants us throwing punches, hammering our fists in the air, shouting, and maybe even to ng a weapon by our side.

“There may be lots of reasons to become angry. We may reckon that we have reasons to become bitter. We may even think that there are times we have license to make a big scene, speak loudly, and act defiantly. However, it would be wise to consider the Savior we follow and pray about how to respond to today’s challenges.

“There was a consistent plot to put Jesus to public shame and destroy His ministry (Luke 11:53-54) and eventually a conspiracy against Him to take His life, all the more as the years went on. He did not deserve any of it. As Jesus walked into His final hour, He was betrayed and mistreated. False witnesses were brought against Him. He was wrongly accused, beaten, mocked, spit on, abused, and condemned to die. He was hated without a cause (John 15:24-25; Psalm 69:4).” (Excerpt from © 2024 Preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus by Wendy Armfield, Lesson 7)

What does John 15:18-21 say we could we experience as followers of Jesus?

“If the world hates you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his-own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said unto you, ‘The servant is not greater than his lord.’ If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.”

According to the above verses God’s followers will be hated because the world hates God and therefor as one of His, we will be hated and despised like He was.

“This may be tough to swallow. No one likes to be attacked, persecuted, and hated especially without a cause! It is abundantly clear that the Christian Walk is not a stroll down Easy Lane. We may very well face discrimination, bias, unjust, unlawful, and unwarranted behavior as the result of following Jesus. All of this could happen to us simply because the world hates those who do not go along with its standards or support its agendas.”

Why did Jesus tell His disciples they needed the characteristics of a snake and a dove? Matthew 10:16 says… “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”

“Jesus is using two animals that are distinctly different from each other to bring about a balanced perspective of how His disciples are to behave in a hostile world (John 15:18-21). The snake is described as crafty and subtle (Genesis 3:1), while the dove is symbolic of innocence, peace, and purity. In other words, Christ’s disciples are to seek to be wise, thoughtful, and prudent. They are to act with intention and purpose, aware of the enemy’s tactics (2 Corinthians 2:11). Jesus did not teach His disciples to be a doormat or a pushover, but that they should be gentle, kind, and seek purity. They must exhibit integrity and healthy boundaries. All of this is possible by the Holy Spirit living in us.”

(Excerpt from © 2024 Preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus by Wendy Armfield, Lesson 7)

We are to treat others in the way that Jesus treated us even though we did not deserve to be treated with love and kindness.

Reflecting the character of God is not always easy. So often we struggle to do the right thing, forgetting that the only way we can do the right thing is to let go and let God. The only way we will ever succeed in reflecting God's loving character is to let the Holy Spirit's power work through us to others.

Help me dear God to let you be the power behind all my actions. In Jesus name I Pray.