Today’s lesson is about how we treat others.

Many of you know I love science fiction. I was watching a Phillip K Dick’s Electric Dreams episode entitled (K.A.O) or Kill All Others. It was set in the future where there is only one candidate for public office and the candidate started to say Kill All Others. The question of who “the others” were kept coming up. Of course, if you were an other, you would know. Or would you?  I hear people say: those immigrants, those illegals, those poor, those rich, those white, those African Americans, those stupid, those smart, those Republicans, those Democrats, those conservatives, those liberals, those awesome people names Sol (sorry, had to through that in), those Muslims, those Christians, those terrorists, those hateful, those. those. those.

Funny thing about it, is who is an “other”? Well, we are all an “other” to someone. We are all more than one thing. We never see ourselves as an “other”. Of course, we aren’t. We are the good guys. We are the ones who love our country. We are the ones who help others. We are the ones who follow the law (well most of them we never sped of course). We love our God more than anyone in the way that no other could.

See an issue here?

“Do to others as you would have them do to you” – Luke 6:31

“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.  Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.  If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” – James 2:1-4

“I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” – John 10:16

“ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28

We are all children of the Lord. We are not the other. There is not an “other”. We can not nor should not group all people as an “other.” For politics, talk about the true issues, not the people. For socio-economic issues discuss the true facts, not the stereotypes. Let’s look at how our strengths and faith bind us. Let not look at someone who is an “other”. But we are all humans, all created by the Father, to serve. Though not all believe that, it doesn’t make them an “other”.  Debate, laugh, grow, learn, empathize, understand, help.

Are you willing to look beyond the groups of the “others” to find the people? Are you willing to see policy differences and practices as being different rather than the people being “other”?

I know I am.

#38of365 #faithbites #faithjourney