It is remarkably easy to claim to love and adore God, but how do we even discern our treatment of the Lord? While perhaps there are some other things involved, let’s consider one particular factor that perhaps should startle many Christians.

Consider the thrust of an argument set forth by the apostle John in 1 John 4. In verse 12 he states, “No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” Love towards one’s brother in Christ is equated with love for an unseen God. In verses 20-21 John goes on to say, “If anyone says, ‘I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” When a Christian claims to love God and at the same time hates his brother, John says, “he is a liar.” It is hypocritical to claim to love a God that one cannot see when he does not love brethren he does see.

Now consider what the Lord said to Saul when He appeared and spoke to him in Acts 9. Verse 3 states: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Saul was persecuting Christians. But the Lord indicates that there was a sense in which Saul was persecuting Him. There was a corresponding relationship between the way Saul treated Christians and the way He was treating the Lord.

While it is understood that Christians have specific responsibilities toward God (like worship) and that this relationship trumps all others, it is mandatory that they see that in some ways their relationship with the Lord cannot surpass their relationship with brethren and others. In fact, Jesus uses this reasoning concerning how the eternal judgment will work out. When we rightly serve others, we are serving the Lord. When we neglect others, we are neglecting the Lord. Jesus says in Matthew 25:40, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” And then He says in verse 45, “Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.”

Consider one final text pertaining to this matter. The theme of the book of Colossians is the supremacy of Christ in all things (see Col. 1:15-20). Evidently, the supremacy of Christ in our lives demands proper treatment of family and others. Paul indicates it is “fitting in the Lord,” for wives to submit to their husbands (see Col. 3:18); as well as for husbands to love their wives (v. 19); and children to obey their parents (v. 20). And Paul even goes on to discuss the slaves obedience to their masters. Please note that they serve with integrity because they “fear the Lord” (v. 22). But don’t miss the next verse: “Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men” (v. 23).

That person we have a relationship with needs to be treated in a very Christ-like manner. We are responsible to God for this, and doing so will bless our lives beyond measure. Take close inventory of the way you treat others. You can’t treat God better than you do them!

How are you treating the Lord?

Daren Schroeder