The Golden Rule!
Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Or more commonly phrased
Do Unto Others as You Would Have Others Do Unto You!
I have a grand daughter that is at the age that that her favorite things are rainbow and unicorns. At her age, she is very idealistic. And so is Jesus!
Matthew 18:1-3 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (2) And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, (3) And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Our passage today is a bit idealistic….but then again so is Christianity. God, through inspired writers, tells us to aim for righteousness, holiness, and perfection even though none of those characteristics are unobtainable on our own. But just because we cannot be perfect on our own, does not mean that we should not strive for it! Jesus tells us, his followers, that we should strive to ALWAYS Do unto others has we would have them do unto us! To more completely apply the Golden Rule to our lives, let’s break it down.
1. “DO”
This is a simple 2-Letter Word. “Do” has an Importance that should not be overlooked! “DO” is not a passive word. “Do” is an action verb. It not only implies a restraint of evil for evil, But also a Conscious effort of Good. The Golden Rule is NOT just a philosophy. It is not just a school of thought. It Must Be applied! It must be done to have ANY value! As Americans we tend to be slipping away from an idea of “Doing”. For instance, In politics, we like to complain about what happens, but we vote at a staggeringly LOW rate. Passiveness is a dangerous mindset if we want to Please God. Remember Jesus’ rebuke of the one talent man. (Matthew 25:24-30).
We too often are misguided in thinking that only as small handful of EVIL people will go to Hell. But Jesus himself called this man wicked. You might say: “Why is this man wicked”? He didn’t DO anything. EXACTLY....That is precisely Jesus’ point. That is because we are REQUIRED to do Something! Not only should we “DO” something. We also Must be profitable too. (John 15:1-5). In order to adequately, perform the Golden Rule, we must be proactive in service for others not just refusing to retaliate against them if they are unkind towards us!
2. “Unto Others”
This may be the most difficult part. Our society programs us to look out for #1. Is there any surprise that there are so many abortions? Is it any surprise that 50% of marriages end in divorce? Is it any surprise the Crime rate is out of control? What do all of things things have in common? We do in this country what pleases ME. And in many ways we do not care who it hurts. It is just plain selfishness. Selfishness is ruining our country, our homes and even the church!
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Jesus says here, to be a follower of his, We MUST DENY ourselves. We must quit being selfish!We must quit putting me first! The focus of our lives should NO longer be on ourselves. When I was a mere child, I learned that the definition of JOY was:
1. Jesus First
2. Others Second
3. Yourselves Last
Our society needs to put that philosophy into action. But we cannot expect all of society to do this if Jesus’ followers are not willing!
2. “As You Would Have Them Do Unto You”
Matthew 22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? (37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (38) This is the first and great commandment. (39) And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Love and Compassion is the crux of this teaching. We need to develop a genuine compassion for all men. “Others” that look like us and those that don’t. “Others” that think like us and those that don’t. “Others” that behave like us and those that don’t. “Others” that have lifestyles like us, and those that don’t. Love and compassion is NOT synonymous with approving of their lifestyles and life choices. But Love is wanting the BEST for them. Jesus Did NOT automatically reject those that were sinners. He worked harder for them! He spent more time with them! In the same vain...We must do the same.
Philippians 2:1-5 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, (2) Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (3) Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (4) Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. (5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Paul talks about the attitude that we should have BECAUSE of the the love that Christ displayed to us. Paul says that we should esteem others BETTER than ourselves. That is precisely the attitude that Jesus referred to in the Golden Rule. We must ALWAYS look at others before we look to our own needs and desires. We must ALWAYS ask in ANY situation....How Would I want to be treated? We Want to Be respected! We want to be treated like we mattered! We would want to be treated like we are made in the image of God! We would want what was Best for us even if we did not Realize it
The problem is that too often we have a built in defense mechanism that causes us act differently. When it comes down to it...We are being asked to Treat People Better than we may perceive they deserve. As Christians, we should understand the principle of acting Better towards others even when they don’t deserve it… Because that is exactly how God treats us!
Reflecting the SON,
Dennis Hogan
Questions, comments or further explanation? Contact me at: dennis.hogan@icloud.com
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