How we deal with others is an indicator of our relationship with Christ.

In the Great Commandment we’re told to love others in the same way we want to be loved, and when we do we’re in essence showing God how much we love Him (Matthew 28:36-40).

And while this doesn’t mean we allow others to use us as punching bags or walk all over us, we are to bear with their failings, because we were once no different, but also, it’s because it’s not all about us.

This was the Apostle Paul’s assessment.

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.’” (Romans 15:1-3)

Jesus should be our example, who being God humbled Himself even to the point of dying for us.

Again the Apostle Paul said, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8)

Ours is the “cross” life, a life lived in light and in full view of the cross, where we daily deny ourselves and take up our cross, that is, putting to death our wants and desires, in order to live a life that exemplifies the life and death of Jesus Christ.

And while our words matter, if they don’t line up with our actions, then our words are like dust in the wind. Our faith is nothing to those outside if it isn’t backed up by what we do (James 2:14-18).