Jonathots Daily Blog
(2726)
In an age when Facebook has attempted to simplify relationships down to “friend” and “unfriend,” it might be of social significance to each one of us to look at the Jesonian approach to human interaction.
Contrary to popular opinion, Jesus did not love everybody with the same intensity. There were measures, concerns, confinements and meters to his affection and devotion.
Understanding that those judgments were not based upon prejudice, but rather, practicality, is the beginning of forming a way of dealing with humanity, preventing you from becoming jaded.
Jesus put human relationships into four categories:
1. Friend.
His definition of “friend” was very specific. He traveled with twelve disciples for more than three years before he referred to them as friends–and then he said he felt he could do so because he could “share his life with them.”
A true friend is a rarity because you must be willing to share the good, the bad and the ugly without fear of incrimination.
2. Acquaintances.
These are people Jesus interacted with who shared a common purpose, but not necessarily a transparency. They were the many individuals who believed on him because they encountered a miracle. But generally speaking, these acquaintances did not end up following him, but departed on their own to start a new life, or were instructed by Jesus to go back to their homes and spread the good news.
3. Adversary.
It will probably astound you when I say that most of the interaction you have with your fellow-travelers will be adversarial.
An adversary is someone you really want to grow to appreciate and love, so you’re learning to cooperate with each other, while also being fully aware of your differences. This is why Jesus told us to “reason with our adversary.” Don’t criticize them; don’t kill them. Find the areas where you concur, and interact in those ventures without forcing agreement in others.
4. Enemies.
And finally, an enemy is simply defined as someone who does not wish you good will. Enemies are not happy when you succeed.
They may not plot against you nor gossip but they do not rejoice when you rejoice, nor mourn when you mourn.
This is where the variety and intensity of Jesonian affection is put into place. So:
We love our friends because we can be completely open with them.
We honor our acquaintances because we share so much in common that it establishes a deep sense of human-hood.
We commit to our adversaries because they keep us thinking and challenge us to have a good reason for what we believe instead of stumping and stomping around about our contentions.
And we respect our enemies because that is the only way we can assure ourselves that their animosity will not easily be turned into action against us.
- Friends are rare.
- Acquaintances are growing.
- Adversaries are plentiful.
- And enemies are few.
Fortunately, the treatment for all of them is easy to remember:
A multi-faceted love.
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