So we’ve seen how we have all been created to image God, but how as a result of the Fall none of us can image Him to any significant degree other than by the grace of God in salvation, sanctification and glorification.
So where does that leave how we speak of, speak towards and act towards others?
Not surprisingly this is a major theme in the New Testament – after all they are living under increasing persecution, they are under the rule of Rome (a foreign and conquering empire), some are slaves to non-Christian and non-sympathetic owners. Compared to today in the West the level of social inequality between sexes, between employers and employees & slaves was massively greater. There was an abundance of reasons why the Christians of the New Testament church might argue it right to think poorly, speak poorly and act poorly towards others.
And yet we find the very opposite being consistently taught by the Bible authors. Jesus Himself (who knew He was heading towards crucifixion at the hands of the Romans) said nothing about Caesar in His entire ministry as far as we know apart from what all three synoptic writers tell us “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s“
Paul writing to the church at Rome at the time that the Jews were only just trickling back to Rome after their former expulsion writes that they are to be “subject to the governing authorities” Rom 13:1, that they are to “be in subjection” v5, That they are to Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. v7
James makes it clear that how we speak to, and of, others is of paramount importance Jas 3:9-10 “With it (our tongue) we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” and Paul writes to Titus Tit 2:9-10 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
Do you start to get the picture? The person concerned might have all sorts of flaws, be evil in much that they do, they may make your own life a misery, BUT we are to remember that the only thing that sets us apart from them is the grace of God! And so we speak of them, to them, and act towards them in a way that reflects that, in a way that reaffirms that in our eyes at least, we recognise that we owe all that we are to God’s grace.
There is a saying that used to be used widely amongst Christians. It doesn’t come from the Bible but is based perfectly on the Bible – it is simply this “There but for the grace of God go I” Friend, perhaps that saying more than any other outside of scripture should drive how we think of, speak of, speak to and react to, another person. If God has poured the first two of His graces that we looked at yesterday into your life – If He has saved you and is sanctifying you, then truly you MUST say when considering anyone, whoever they are, “there but for the grace of God go I” and know in your mind and heart that if God chooses to show that same grace towards them then they will stand as your eternal brother or sister.