From People to The Cross: How Our Relationships With Others Reflect Our Relationship With God

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.  And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. 1 John 4:20-21

Have you ever noticed how your love for God shows up in the way you interact with others?

Our relationships with people are a mirror of how we relate and deal with God. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to show others the same love and honor we have towards God. When you look at your attitudes towards others, is it one that reflects how you feel towards God?

 Jesus was leaving his disciples. Before departing, he commanded us to love him with all our hearts. He then quickly followed up with we should also love people:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

One day, as I was in conversation with someone, a realization struck me. Some of the ways I feel toward others are actually how I feel toward God. God knew we needed to understand the importance of both relationships. Sometimes we think that we are at a good place in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. But, how we treat and deal with others can reveal what is going on inside of us. For example, when I think about trust, it shows my trust level with God. The ability to be open with those around me reflects this too. I can’t open up fully to others because I haven’t opened up fully to God. When we think about a cross, there are two lines, one that is horizontal and one that is vertical. The horizontal line represents our relationship with others, and the vertical represents our relationship with God. They both are necessary to fully represent the meaning behind the Gospel. Our time on earth is about us living for God whilst displaying His kingdom to others. We want to lead others into better relationships. Everything we do is a reflection and built on the foundation of Jesus, our Cornerstone. It is the core of our Christian identity.

God makes no mistakes. The way he set us up to be in community with others was to showcase his glory on earth. The way we treat others is the clearest evidence of Christ’s work within us. As God transforms our hearts, love, forgiveness, and compassion should flow from the inside out.

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20

When we struggle to forgive others, it can reveal that we have not fully grasped the concept of God’s forgiveness. The bitterness that we show others can signal a heart that is resistant to giving and receiving grace. When we are quick to get angry and act in anxiousness, it reflects a disconnect from God’s peace and patience. Gossiping with others shows our insecurities and how we are not grounded in the identity of God. Showing jealousy and envy shows how we look for worth from culture instead of Christ.  

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4: 7-10

If your relationships with others are out of sync, it might be time to check your connection with God.