“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.” – Matthew 7:12
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” That’s the Golden Rule. I remember hearing that as a young girl from my parents and teachers. What they were telling me was to act toward other people as I wanted them to act toward me. This tenet comes from the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus spoke those words to the multitude gathered around Him. He stated that this directive was found in the law of God and the teachings of the prophets, and that it was meant for those in His presence then as well as for us today.
The world could use a little more of the Golden Rule these days. It’s easy to point a finger at the insane situations and the actions of those who seem anything but charitable, but in actuality, this philosophy needs to begin with each of us. I need to practice more of the Golden Rule. For example, when someone cuts me off on the freeway, how do I react? How would I want the other driver to react if I had been the one cutting him off? What about when I have an opinion that differs from my husband? Do I want him to be unyielding and abrupt with me as I have found myself doing in the past? Or should I listen to his side and then discuss our options together? What about moments when I speak about someone else behind their back? Would I want myself to be the target of someone else’s gossip?
I can even apply the Golden Rule to my spiritual life. How do I respond when someone hurts my feelings? Am I quick to forgive or do I harbor anger and bitterness. Would I want someone to be that way toward me? I know I want God to forgive me each time I sin, but am I willing to readily forgive others when they sin against me?
What about my relationship with God? I wonder how I would feel if He only paid attention to me for a few minutes at mealtime or just before bed. If I desire His presence with me all day long, shouldn’t I also do my part to cultivate a continuous communion with Him throughout the day? Thankfully, I can see where God constantly employs the Golden Rule with me. He loves me with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). I know He wants me to love Him and make Him a priority in my life for His Word says in Matthew 22:37, “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.” Have I? God has blessed me time and time again. Do I reciprocate? What do I give to God that blesses Him or His holy name?
There are a lot of ways to apply the Golden Rule to my life. I just need to look for them, and then remember Jesus’ words. If I strive to be a little kinder and considerate to others, it’ll help make this world a better place. After all, every journey begins with one small step. So today, I am going to try to apply Matthew 7:12 to my life on a more regular basis. Maybe it is just a small step, but if each one of us takes a tiny step forward, imagine what could happen! We could all reflect Jesus to a world that so desperately needs it. Isn’t that what we’ve been called to do?
It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;
That’s how it is with God’s Love,
Once you’ve experienced it,
Your spread His love to everyone
You want to pass it on.
(from “Pass It On” by Kurt Kaiser)
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:32
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It’s so much easier to love than to hate…