“In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets.” Matt. 7:12.
The most common phrasing of the Golden Rule is “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the Golden Rule as: “A general rule for how to behave that says that you should treat people the way you would like other people to treat you.” The statement made by Jesus in Matt. 7 mirrors the same concept expressed in the Old Testament, in Lev. 19:18: “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the LORD.”
Jesus listed this as the second great commandment. Matt. 22:39-40. It also summarizes the last six of the 10 Commandments. God’s instruction is the same in both the Old and New Testaments. Whether or not we apply the Golden Rule in our life will have a direct impact on how God deals with us! The parallel Gospel account in Luke makes a statement not found in Matt. 7. Notice how God expects us to be acting toward others if we expect to receive blessings and gifts from Him: “‘Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you”’ Luke 6:37-38.
Once again, the way we treat others sets the standard of how we will be treated by God. And this includes receiving God’s gifts! Many in our modern society embrace the general philosophy of looking out for self—firs, taking what you want and need, and considering others later. This is the way of “get” or “take”—the natural, selfish way of life characterised by getting for ourselves and putting “me” first. God’s way is instead the “give” way—the way of giving, sharing and outgoing concern for others. It’s the way of godly love. It is the way of the Golden Rule. We must deliberately unlearn the selfish worldly values that has permeated of our view and begin to allow God and his word give direction to our lives selah!
FURTHER READING:
“Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you.” Luke. 6:31.
“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another.” Gal. 5:13.
DECLARATION:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your timely words of Life. I press on, that I may lay hold of that which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. The LORD has chosen me for Himself as His special treasure, therefore I walk worthy of His purpose for me in Jesus name, amen.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Psalms. 122:1-9.
Psalms. 123:1-4.
Psalms. 124:1-8.
Psalms. 125:1-5.
QUOTE FOR THE DAY:
“Popularity Is When You Please Others. Happiness Is When You Please Yourself. Godliness Is When You Please God.”
The Fortress Int’l Church, 2 Floor 10 Coker Road, Opposite Chicken Republic Ilupeju Lagos, Nigeria.
www thefortresschurch.com.
email: info@thefortresschurch.com.
