The Dude in the Left Lane

I've been writing about how we need to try and live like Jesus would. As kids we were taught the Golden Rule, Jesus's rule, treat others the way we want to be treated. Great idea, not so easy to do.

Just yesterday, this clown with Florida tags in a crossover, doing 60 in the left lane of a 70 mph zone, wasn't getting treated by me like I'd want to be treated. Just like that, I blew an opportunity to show grace.

Loving everyone, even the ones we don't like, is hard. But Jesus said we need to, so we need to try. If we're going to love like Him, we've got to love them all. Even the ones we don't want to. (Insert dude in left lane here.)

Jesus said the greatest law was to love God and love people. No loopholes. No getting out of it.

So how do we love people when it doesn't come naturally? We've got to change the way we see them.

First, we've got to realize we're all made in the image of our Creator. You, and every person you know, was hand-crafted by God. All of us, created in His image. Isn't that mind-blowing? Hard to imagine the dude in the left lane in God's image, I know, but it's true.

Ephesians 2:10 tells us we're God's masterpieces. Believe that about yourself first. God created you exactly the way He wanted you. When you believe that, it's easier to extend the same love and acceptance to others.

Second, if everyone is a masterpiece, then every time you tear someone down, you're insulting God's most beautiful creation. That stops you cold, right? It stops me. And I blow it all the time.

James, Jesus's brother, said it best: with our mouths we worship God, and with those same mouths we curse people made in His likeness. When you worship God on Sunday, are you turning around and tearing people down on Monday?

Let's change the way we see the "others" in our lives. Let's start seeing them as significant. Then let's start treating them the way Jesus would. So next time you're tempted to act like a jerk to someone (dude in left lane), consider this: How would Jesus treat this person? Then do that.

I've got some work to do.

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"With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so."

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James 3:9-10

Be Nice. Grace Wins.

FMJ