The relationships we forge can either make life blissful and sweet, or miserable and unhappy. We see examples of this all around us; most people simply don’t know how to build happy, loving spiritual bonds between themselves and others. A godly friendship is a gift, and God wants us to be happy in it. Studying the Bible shows that Jesus is always in the center of successful relationships.
Worldly relationships that leave out God are painful and destructive. Many of them are built around fear or other negative emotions. When we proactively reach out to others and share Jesus’ love, we begin laying the groundwork for healthy relationships. It can start with something as simple as encouraging someone else. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24, NKJV).
Jesus was all about mercy, compassion, and kindness. Instead of condemning the woman caught in adultery, He forgave her. He never pointed the finger of blame, but He had harsh words for hypocrites who set themselves above everyone else. “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor” (Matthew 7:1-5, MSG).
Sharing Jesus enriches any relationship, whether it’s between spouses, parents, children, neighbors, friends, or co-workers. The lessons found in God’s Word outlining how to treat others are radically different than what we see in the world. Treating others the way we’d like to be treated makes a positive difference. “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise” (Luke 6:31, NKJV). Jesus preached this during His earthly ministry, and it’s still true today.
When Christ ministered to the crowds, He showed mercy and kindness to them. He sawe saw how lost and hurting they were, just like today. He reached out to the people in love, knowing that not all of them would accept His message. He gives us the perfect example to follow in all our relationships. “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31, 32).
Jesus inhabits His Word; He is love. As believers, we have a unique opportunity to present Him to people who desperately need Him. He’s the God of relationships and we’ve been commissioned to share Him with others, one relationship at a time. “So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!’” (2 Corinthians 5:20, NLT).
The world knows about Jesus, but doesn’t know Him personally. It’s time to change that. Letting Him work through us so that others can experience His unselfishness, empathy, and compassion is powerful enough to change hearts and minds. Remembering how He conducted Himself, and applying those same principles when we encounter others, displays His true nature to everyone.
