If we ask our brothers and sisters in Christ how we should treat other people, I believe you would get three really good answers.

First, we should love others as we love ourselves. This is, of course, exactly what God says in Scripture (Leviticus 19:18) and what Jesus told us to do. This law of love is the royal law which is found throughout the New Testament.

Second, we should treat others as we want to be treated. This is a very practical way to live that causes us to think of others on a constant basis.

Third, we should be kind and compassionate toward other people. Who would disagree with this? God through Paul the Apostle exhorted us to be kind and compassionate toward other people and to forgive as we have been forgiven (Ephesians 4:31-32),

These are wonderful answers for how we should treat others. Let me give you two more answers from a theological perspective.

First, we must recognize God’s image in every person. This is a cardinal teaching of Scripture. “God created man in His image. In the image of God He created him. Male and female, He created them (Genesis 1:26-27).

In the Bible, the word create is used only with God as subject. Only God creates. His creation of human beings is the zenith of His work of creation.

Second, Christ died for all humans, and He desires that no one should perish.

The people around us are people God created in His image and people for whom He gave His beloved Son.

For these reasons, we should seek the absolute best for every person. God desires that we should love others as God loves us. He is our example for how we treat other people. He wants us to be like Him.