Do Unto Others

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Sometimes its hard to be nice.  People, circumstances or just our attitudes make it really hard to be a nice person.  Many times we treat others how we have been treated - not how we would like to be treated.  Retaliation, a cold shoulder, and ugliness is always easier than trying to see the other side of a situation or the reason behind someone else's actions.

Some days people just get on my nerves.  Being introverted doesn't mean I don't like people but it does mean that many days I just don't have the energy to deal with them.  So I have to try extra hard to find the good things in someone instead of just letting my attitude take over. Those days require more grace than I have in my own power.  I'm finding daily that if I will seek God first - before I encounter other people then people are easier.  When we seek God the fruit of the Spirit can become the fruit that others see in us first.  It allows us to fulfill the 1 Corinthians 13 type of love that Christ talks about.  When Christ fills us with His Spirit then the fruit is found in the way we love and treat others.

Fruit doesn't grow over night.  It requires constant care and attention - weeding out the ugly weeds and watering and fertilizing all are necessary for a plant to bear fruit.  Just as a garden is a whole lot of work so is our walk with Christ.  We don't just say a prayer and become fully perfected.  We have to water and feed our walk so that we become fruit bearers.  The fruit that the Spirit wants us to bear is in Galatians.  The fruit that reflects Christ in all that we do and all that we say.  Only when finally come into His presence in heaven will we find perfection.

Growing up we are constantly told to follow the golden rule, "Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you."  What an amazing world this would be if we would all follow this one verse.  We all want to be loved for who we are and to be treated with dignity and respect.  Yet we often fail to treat others the same.  Our expectation of others loving us the way we want, falls short when we realize to gain love we have to give love.  It truly is amazing what one small act of kindness can do. 

When love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are given to those you come in contact with then the same comes back to you a hundred fold.  But as a people we are selfish and expect that treatment without giving it first.  I'm learning to appreciate the power of just being kind and looking for that in others.  I can change the world around me if I choose to love as Christ and live out the fruit of the Spirit.  It's a daily challenge and prayer is my only hope.