Ephesians 6:9
Slave owners, you must treat your slaves with this same respect. Don't threaten them. They have the same Master in heaven that you do, and he doesn't have any favorites.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You are probably wondering why I would include a scripture passage about slave owners. None of us has slaves in this day and age. But almost all of us have people who perform services for us every day, and this passage applies to them as much as the slaves of Biblical times.
See, when you are rude or unkind to a clerk at the store or wait staff at a restaurant, this dishonors your relationship with God. When you are disrespectful to teachers, bosses, parents, people in authority … this is the same thing. If you post something unkind on Facebook or send out an e-mail message with a crude or unflattering joke about someone else – a celebrity with an addiction problem, our President, someone of another race or ethnicity, or someone with a different sexual orientation, you are making a distinction between yourself and that person … and in God’s eyes, there is no distinction.
Don’t misunderstand me … I’m not saying you have to agree with everyone else and/or their lifestyle … but judgment is not ours. Jesus did not disrespect those who didn’t agree with Him … and every person has equal potential in His eyes to be His disciple and faithful servant. So when we look down our noses at others, we’re not living up to Christ’s expectation of us. When we treat others unkindly or rudely, say unkind things and ridicule others, we have effectively denied our relationship with Christ. Yes, it’s that serious!
So the next time you start to call someone an idiot or decide to threaten a salesperson or snap your finger to demand the attention of a waiter or waitress, think about Jesus. The next time someone comes into a place of business and is not as neat and clean or attractive as you like, remember that your sinful self isn’t so neat and clean to Jesus, either! Remind yourself that this person is just as important to Him as you are. Treat them with respect and see what a difference it can make. Ask yourself how Jesus would react … and ditch any attitudes or opinions of your own.
©2010 Debbie Robus
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