Vital Qualities Needed for Relationships
Catherine A. DeLorco
Ohio Christian University
November 20, 2016
Vital Qualities Needed for Relationships For years in every classroom across American were a sign displayed, “The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This is taken right from the Bible in Luke 6:31. Another verse that comes to mind is, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” (Galatians 6:7, NIV). Perhaps, if the Golden Rule were still displayed in all classrooms with every student still reciting the 23rd Psalm and The Lord’s Prayer, our country would not be where it is today. There are three vital qualities needed in healthy relationships. Let’s examine these qualities …show more content…
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matt. 22: 37-39, NIV). Love, the second vital quality, is unconditional and has a positive impact on the lives of others. Without love, our hearts and souls would be cold, hollow, and empty. Just as sin separates a person from God, so does the absence of love. “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (I John 4:8, NIV). “Human beings tend to be impressionable, reactionary creatures. In other words, they generally reflect the treatment they receive from others.” (Robbins, 2016). When treating others with courtesy, kindness, and patience usually encourages the same behavior. A person desiring love and acceptance should treat others with the same consideration. And those that don’t still need to be shown love and acceptance. Whenever a person displays rude behavior, this writer tries to view him/her as another child of God in need of love. This person may have just been fired, served divorce papers, or lost a loved one. A little kindness and compassion goes a long way. As this writer’s grandmother always said, “You can catch more flies with honey than …show more content…
To this writer, empathy is to know and understand what another person is experiencing as if “walking in their shoes” with a certain sensitivity. As with love, empathy is shown with compassion, kindness, and humility. Paul said, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, NIV). “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15, NIV). “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3, NIV). Jesus had compassion on those suffering. Compassion is the deep mercy of God. God is the best at empathy. How comforting to know that He records all our tears and struggles. Peter said to, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (I Peter 5:7, NIV). With the ultimate example of empathy, how can people not have compassion on others? This writer feels by actively listening to others with encouraging words, comfort, empathy, and genuine love is received. With practice, it naturally becomes second nature. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?” (Matt. 5:13, NKJV). If a seasoning has no flavor, it has no value. If Christians do not try to affect the world around them, they are of little value to God. We should affect others positively, just as seasoning brings out the flavor in food
Catherine A. DeLorco
Ohio Christian University
November 20, 2016
Vital Qualities Needed for Relationships For years in every classroom across American were a sign displayed, “The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This is taken right from the Bible in Luke 6:31. Another verse that comes to mind is, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” (Galatians 6:7, NIV). Perhaps, if the Golden Rule were still displayed in all classrooms with every student still reciting the 23rd Psalm and The Lord’s Prayer, our country would not be where it is today. There are three vital qualities needed in healthy relationships. Let’s examine these qualities …show more content…
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matt. 22: 37-39, NIV). Love, the second vital quality, is unconditional and has a positive impact on the lives of others. Without love, our hearts and souls would be cold, hollow, and empty. Just as sin separates a person from God, so does the absence of love. “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (I John 4:8, NIV). “Human beings tend to be impressionable, reactionary creatures. In other words, they generally reflect the treatment they receive from others.” (Robbins, 2016). When treating others with courtesy, kindness, and patience usually encourages the same behavior. A person desiring love and acceptance should treat others with the same consideration. And those that don’t still need to be shown love and acceptance. Whenever a person displays rude behavior, this writer tries to view him/her as another child of God in need of love. This person may have just been fired, served divorce papers, or lost a loved one. A little kindness and compassion goes a long way. As this writer’s grandmother always said, “You can catch more flies with honey than …show more content…
To this writer, empathy is to know and understand what another person is experiencing as if “walking in their shoes” with a certain sensitivity. As with love, empathy is shown with compassion, kindness, and humility. Paul said, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, NIV). “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15, NIV). “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3, NIV). Jesus had compassion on those suffering. Compassion is the deep mercy of God. God is the best at empathy. How comforting to know that He records all our tears and struggles. Peter said to, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (I Peter 5:7, NIV). With the ultimate example of empathy, how can people not have compassion on others? This writer feels by actively listening to others with encouraging words, comfort, empathy, and genuine love is received. With practice, it naturally becomes second nature. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?” (Matt. 5:13, NKJV). If a seasoning has no flavor, it has no value. If Christians do not try to affect the world around them, they are of little value to God. We should affect others positively, just as seasoning brings out the flavor in food