Devotions: The Golden Rule

 

In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

 

This is part of Jesus’ sermon on the mount, a long series of teachings early in His ministry. At other times, He said the Law could be summed up in two commands: love God and love others. Those two commands can be summarized in this one idea: treat others how you want to be treated. This idea is not based on how others treat us at all. My daughter has mistaken this to mean that if someone is mean to her, that means they want other people to be mean to them so she responds in kind. That is not the point. In everything we are judged by God based on how we act regardless of how others treat us. The “well she started it” argument does not fly with God. No matter what people do, we are to do what is right. That is why in other places Jesus says to pray for those who persecute us and bless those who curse us. It begins with us, and Jesus is our example. He did not make smart sarcastic comments, punch someone that hit Him, or fight back in any way. He did what was right all the time, every time. The reason is because His actions were not based on Himself, but on God. He did not try to vindicate Himself, nor did He act out of pride trying to defend Himself. He didn’t try to prove how He was right. He had a higher goal in mind and lived for the greater good. How do you treat people? Are you genuinely kind to those you don’t like? Are your actions motivated by your love for God and others, or yourself? Ask God to help you live out His law of love by treating others well no matter how they treat you.

 

 

 

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