I have heard it said, “If
you want to better yourself, surround yourself with better people”. I can’t
argue with this logical thinking; it is true. There is something to be said for
resisting associating yourself with people that are headed in the wrong
direction, walking with those that are walking in the wrong direction,
subjecting yourself to the influence of wrong.
But lets look at another
side to this. This does not give license to ignore those that do not live up to
your expectations. In other words, don’t carry this too far, that you do not
have time for those you have determined are beneath your dignity.
Consider your focus. Is it
only to better yourself in this world? Yahushua said to first love Yahuwah, and
then to love others. Now He wasn’t talking about an emotional love only. Love
is an action word; it means to dedicate yourself to others. And notice that the
love or yourself is not in this equation. Yes, you have to take care of
yourself, or you will be no good to anyone else, but we are to love others as
we do ourselves.
Let’s
think if Yahushua had lived his life this way, not speaking to those beneath
him. He was accused of eating with the lowest of people. He went to them, but
he did not follow them around. He did not hound them, but he had time for them
always. He even responded to those that hated him.