Great Measure of our Discipleship

Ryan Sharp

Comm 150 2:00pm MWF

Great Measure of Discipleship

2-1-2010

I believe that the greatest measure of our discipleship is not only how we view others but also how we act on those impressions. Although I would agree that how we view others is even more important because it determines how we will treat them. Seeing each other as Christ would see us would influence every aspect of our behavior. We all make judgments at first sight but we can overcome that through prayer and humility. Only the Lord has the power to help us overcome the natural man and have the spiritual eyes to see each other as brothers and sisters in the family of God.

One of the objects that I noticed is used often in our society is a trophy. It’s never a bad thing to be considered attractive and good looking, but this trait is often used as a way for people to treat them as trophies to show off to others. This happens in dating, marriage, and even just in friendship. Sometimes as friends we seek the approval of those who are considered really attractive in order to impress others or make oneself look cooler. It is almost always a selfish desire that leads us to treat people as trophies. It’s a way for people to build up their reputation or resume in the eyes of others. To put it bluntly, these attractive people are being used.

One thing that makes this perception of people so wrong is that it is defined simply by physical looks. The person with this view does not see him or her as a child of God with great potential, christlike attributes, or personality traits. They see them as objects whose only purpose is to be displayed for show. They treat them as if they are hollow, without a soul or a conscious. They ultimately are missing what is most important about the person they use as a trophy. Being attractive certainly has its advantages, but it can be really painful when they realize that their body is the primary reason for their friendship/relationship. In marriage, it is even worse.

I chose this object because I find it so common, especially at my age. I’ve seen it with my roommates, classmates, friends, and fellow ward members. Back biting and gossiping are just a couple of the negative things associated with this perception. This trophy perception also tends to lead people to seek more for a cuddle buddy than a true friendship/relationship. Unfortunately these cuddle buddy relationships are often just used as a stepping stone to some other guy or girl that they seek to impress.

In the end, it is selfishness and pride that are at the heart of this unrighteous perception of others. Relationships, whether as friends or in marriage, are for the benefit of each other and not for the benefit of putting on a show. Perception has everything to do with discipleship. It affects our attitudes toward others, ourselves, and the Lord. It affects our ability to learn and walk by the spirit. It puts attention on the self, blinding us to be able to see the value and goodness in others. And most importantly, it drives us away from God Himself. God can’t communicate effectively with us when we are absorbed so much in our own personal gain or reputation. The Lord always sought ways to serve others, not for ways to use them for His own personal gain. If we learn to see others as God sees them, our only desire will be to love them and serve them because of who they are.