Three Relationship Roads
There are three relationship roads we can take:
The Low Road: This is treating people WORSE than how they treat us.
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." Ephesians 4:31...
The Law Road: This is treating people EQUAL to how they treat us.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ "
Matthew 5:38
"In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
Matthew 7:12
The Love Road: This is treating people BETTER than how they treat us.
"Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back...But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:27-36)
Our ability to take the Love Road comes from our loving Father who has taken the Love Road in his relationship with us, completely avoiding the Low Road and Law Road. The Love Road is called GRACE. As we experience his grace in our lives, we then are empowered to express his grace to others.
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2)
