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The Effect of Our Treatment of Others
Last week we considered “our treatment of others.” This article will examine some effects of our treatment toward others, with specific emphasis on the effects of mal-treatment.
The Sinner or Non-Christian: When treated without the love and concern Christ would have for them, sinners will never be converted. Most certainly, the sinner who uses the excuse that Christians did not treat them respectfully will be lost for not obeying. However, the Christian, who for the lack of obeying the plain commands of God with regard to proper treatment of others, will be in danger of judgment too.
I fear that “improper treatment” is a secondary problem next to “lack of treatment.” Jesus associated with sinners knowing the Father’s will was to, “…call sinners to repentance.” Matt. 9:13. He did not fraternize with the wicked element of society for lack of godly companionship. Neither did the “Great Physician” contract some “spiritual disease” by drawing near enough to administer the divine cure, remission of sin. Jesus empowered the sinner to be redeemed by teaching them! He was the Master Teacher. How in the world can we expect to be “fishers of men” when we will not find ourselves where the fish are?
The Saved: I have known Christians who were a continuing source of discouragement for their brethren. Why? It is because they never learned to treat their fellow-Christians with love and respect. Knowingly or not, they persistently put their brethren on the defense. Their speech and actions toward their fellow-members was so void of the virtues of Jesus, that they literally drove them away from the congregation. Very few good, right thinking Christians will allow themselves to be subjected to a continual confrontational relationship. Paul addresses a similar issue when he writes, “…but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another." Gal. 5:13b-15. Most ruptures among God’s people result when this kind of behavior is tolerated.
Another tragic effect of mal-treatment between the faithful was addressed by Jesus when he said, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." Jo. 13:34-35. How in the world can Christians expect others to want Christianity when it takes the form of rancor, bitterness, backbiting, strife and division?
The Erring; Mal-treatment of the erring will insure they will never be restored. Right or wrong, they will always point the finger of blame at the Christian who has expressed unkindness or unwillingness to communicate, cooperate, and forgive. Or, if restored, then not accepted, but rather placed on probation. In many cases it will not be the “mal- treatment,” but “no treatment” on the part of the Christian that will have ill effects. Let’s answer the following questions within ourselves. Does it seem as though the prodigal son was placed on “probation?” (possibly his brother did) Do we have the care and concern for the erring that the shepherd had for ONE lost sheep? Did the father of the prodigal son, the woman who lost a coin, or the shepherd who lost one sheep avoid or ignore the problem of that which was lost? Do we? Is it a matter of urgency to us? The woman who lost ONE piece of silver, “sought diligently till she found it” while the father of the prodigal ran to meet his son. Do we place value on efforts to retrieve the erring? The shepherd did, he left all for one, hazarding himself for the wayward. The father did, he clothed his returned son with finery, and made arrangements for a celebration banquet for he and his servants. In all three parables the result was joy. In two of them the divine record states that joy in Heaven results from restoration. Do we rejoice for the same reason the angels of God do?
We must consider the effects of our treatment toward others. Not just because of the consequences here and now, but because we will stand before the judge of our soul and give an account. We must imitate the Savior, the Great Physician and the Shepherd, so that we can sing with truth the hymn, “let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.” Think about it.
