The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from
your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show
you. I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I
will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all
peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”[Genesis 12:1-3]
In order to be a blessing to all people so that God can
build a great nation, there are four specific traits that we must possess as
individuals and shower upon others. In order to influence others, we must first
treat them with dignity. Each man,
woman, and child deserves to be treated with dignity because they are made in
the image of God. Dignity has nothing to do with age, race, gender, etc.; it
has to do with the image in which humans are created. It has to do with
acknowledging that others possess a state of quality of being worthy of honor
and respect.
Second, we are to be kind
to others. Kindness is a trait we must learn to shower on others. Scripture
clearly teaches us that we are to be kind to one another. Kindness is the
quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. This is why our Lord
taught us to help those in need, to give to the poor, and to be considerate to
those of various ethnicities and cultures. We are polite, respectful, and gentle
in how we deal with others.
We are to love
others regardless of their lifestyle, ethnicity, or wrongs committed. In fact,
as Christians we are to have a special kind of love called agape love. This
means that no matter what the other person does to us, we want the very best
for them. How can we forgive a person who has brought serious harm upon us? We
forgive then because we want the best for them, and for us.
When we learn to treat others with dignity, kindness, and
love, we will begin to respect them
too. Respect means that you possess a sense of appreciation for someone or
something elicited by the other person’s abilities, qualities, or achievements.
In order for America to be a great nation, we must each
learn to treat each other with dignity, kindness, respect, and agape love. I am
not sure any human can cause this to happen in another person, but I can attest
to the reality that the Jesus that indwells us can!
Prayer: Lord Jesus,
forgive me when I have failed to treat others with dignity, kindness, love, and
respect. Patiently mold and guide me to be more like you. Help me to see all
humanity with the dignity you have bestowed upon them. Help me to treat others
with a kindness and respect that points others to you, and most of all, help me
to love others as you have loved me. Amen.
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