How do you treat others?

Do you treat people how you want to be treated? Which is purely selfish. Or do you treat people the way God would treat people?

          This past Sunday’s sermon was about Living the Life of Real Faith; A true Christian having the right attitude. This was another great message. It made me think about personal situations in my life and how I felt judged or sadly how I have judged others. One of the main points in this sermon was to see people as God sees them. My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor"-well, doesn't this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? (James 2;1-7)

          How many times have you looked at someone’s clothes, or could smell the strong odor coming from them and thought to yourself “they really need to shower?” What do you think God would do if this person were in front of Him? Do you think He would run as far and fast as He could? Or do you think He would treat them with the respect they deserve, and take time to talk or maybe even just listen to this person. Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law (James 2:8-9). What if this person isn't saved and you completely brushed them off because of their smell or clothes? You could be the only Bible that person ever reads. Open your arms, welcome conversation, if you are lucky you will get to hear their story and be able to offer help if they need it. This makes me think about one Sunday when David and I were at Faith. There was a gentlemen, early 30’s, visiting the church. He had what appeared to be all that he owned next to him in the pew. I didn't notice him until the end of service when he went to the front to pray during the altar call. After service, Pastor came up to David and asked him if he didn't mind if the gentlemen stayed with him for just one night. Pastor knew David had his own place and most likely wouldn't mind. So we left church, went and picked up a few things from the store, went to David’s apartment and cooked him lunch. We asked him what else we could do for him and he said just find a shelter for him. I went to my storage unit and retrieved a sleeping bag for him, while David called around looking for a shelter that wasn't booked. He didn't end up staying the night. After lunch we drove him to the shelter downtown as he requested. When Pastor came up to David and asked him to do this, David could have immediately looked at the gentlemen with his stuff in tow and said no, but he didn't.

          How many times have you been in the checkout line at the grocery store and got behind someone who has WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) vouchers, or possibly an EBT card? Did you look them over, stare at the IPhone that they were holding or the Coach purse on their shoulder and think to yourself, “if this person wasn't buying these materialistic things they could probably afford food for their family?” I have been in line and seen the looks people get when using WIC or an EBT card. I have also been on the other side of this when I was a single mom. I was a single mom for almost a year ½ before I met David. I didn't receive any child support and prior to having Mateo had a very well paying job. After I had him money got tight. Someone mentioned state assistance to me, which I had no idea what they were talking about. Once I did my research online and realized I could qualify I went in to the office to get more information. This was one of the most uncomfortable things I have ever had to do. I am sitting in this room with many other moms and a lot of screaming children, just hoping that no one I know sees me there. For those that don’t know, WIC only covers things like formula, baby food, milk, cheese, cereal, bread, and tuna. But for a single mom this can take such a huge burden off. I was on it for about a year until David and I got married and I no longer needed it. But, I know that every time I would go to the store to use the vouchers it was so embarrassing. Because, I know people make assumptions and have no idea what my situation was at that time. They just see someone on WIC and think that person is abusing the system. When I see these moms in line at the store, and see them using an expensive phone, or carrying a flashy purse, I can't judge them. It is a possibility these items were gifts. Even if we feel a certain way, is there anything that can be done to know if they are truly in need of assistance or if they are abusing the system? No, say a prayer for that person and her child or children and hope that these services get them through that time in their life where they needed the help. 

          How many times have you been the person a the gym working out and have seen someone that is a little over weight and really struggling with the proper use of equipment or see them trying to run on the treadmill and they have no running form and thought to yourself, "I wonder if they know how they look?" Going to the gym for some people can be such a daily struggle. Issues like weight, lack of knowledge using the equipment, and even fear of being judged stop some from working out until they have some sort of encouragement. Those of you that know me know that I love to work out. Before I became pregnant I would get up a 4:30a.m. Monday through Friday to be at the gym by 5. I sometimes see people staring at equipment, looking at it up and down, trying to read the summarized directions, looking at the diagrams, and trying to figure out how to adjust the weights or the seat. A few years ago, I was the person that didn't do anything but stare and continue on with my workout. I can say that since being saved a little over two years ago there isn't a day that goes by when I am in the gym that I don't take the time to help or acknowledge people. Even if I only have an hour for my workout, I still stop. When I see someone sitting on a machine and staring at it, maybe hoping it will do the workout for them, I just walk by and ask if they need any help. Some might think this can be offensive, especially if you don't know if it is their first time in a gym or if they go everyday and are just trying out a new piece of equipment. But, noticing that person and taking time to acknowledge them might just give them that boost to feel like they can ask for help when they need it. When I am running a 5k or 10k race and hear someone mention that it is their first race, I have realized that my time isn't important but hanging back behind that person and just encouraging them has been such a greater accomplishment. I have done this twice. Both times the people didn't know I could have ran faster, I didn't make it obvious. I just relaxed and when I saw them start to struggle or begin to walk I offered words of encouragement and offered to pace with them for motivation. Both times, at the end of the races, the people smiled and thanked me for the support. 
          We tend to be real quick to judge people on the outside, I myself included. Instead we should be seeing people how God sees them. Pastor made a few good points that I just have to share. God saved you for His glory and to use you to bring others to the kingdom of God. Your light should always be shining brightly. Quit looking down on people, open your heart, share your testimony any chance you get, and let them know that you too were once living a life without God. He also said that we should give the love that has been given to us to someone else; go love on people. Imagine how different your day would end if instead of making selfish decisions throughout the day you were going out of your way to just be kind and helpful to others. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you (James 2:13).