In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul offers sound advice on how to oil the wheels of human community. It sounds much like my insistence to my daughters when they would quarrel, “You don’t have to like each other. But you do have to be kind to each other.”
A little kindness goes a long way in defusing tense situations. As followers of Christ, we know that kindness is more than a social advantage. It is one of many marks that indicate a follower of Christ. And Christian culture is hardly unique in promoting the benefits of treating others as we want to be treated. Most cultures and religions emphasize the need to treat people with kindness and fairness.
As Christians, this way of living becomes who we are as we imitate the ways of Christ. In Christ we become new creations, and this transformation comes from the inside out. Eventually, we don’t have to consciously decide to behave in Christlike ways—doing so becomes our very nature. Of course, being human, we sometimes slip back into less Christlike behavior; but the more we grow in Christ, the quicker we realize this and make amends.
Sometimes I sit in public places to watch strangers interact. When persons go out of their way to be Christlike to others through actions or words, I see an immediate transformation in attitude and demeanor. Smiles replace frowns, and people look at one another rather than past one another.
It is popular to ask, “What would Jesus do?” Perhaps it is better to ask, “How am I imitating Christ? Am I walking in love, demonstrating the way Christ loves us and gave his all for us?”