Tuesday; September 6

Most of us understand the need to be good people and treat people well. We do our best to demonstrate respect to others we meet. However, have you ever thought about how we can take this to the next level? Rather than merely being content with making sure that our relationships are in order, have you ever thought about how we can encourage others to treat one another better? The Bible talks a lot about our relationships with each other, but it also encourages us, “See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.” (I Thessalonians 5:15). Did you notice the impetus of this passage is not just our own personal interactions, but helping to make all relationships better? In essence, in addition to being good people, we can make a bigger difference by inspiring others to do so as well. By setting a good example for others to follow we can establish the foundation for a cultural shift, but it doesn’t stop there. When we refuse to listen to gossip, when we ask people to stop speaking badly about others, when we try to derail efforts to retaliate against people we help the overall cause of goodwill.

Being respectful and peaceful to people is good place to start, but let’s do our best help others value their relationships. When we do, the benefits will spill over onto us and will ripple throughout society.

Think About It!

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