Carol Swenson
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Member # 6929
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Matthew 7:12
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (NIV)
This is commonly known as the Golden Rule. It may be easy to refrain from harming others, but it is much more difficult to take the initiative in doing something good for them. A person may be able to keep the negative form of the law by avoiding sin, but to keep the positive form requires action. This is the key to the radical discipleship that Jesus wants. The Golden Rule is the foundation of active goodness and mercy—the kind of love God shows to us every day. Not only does this rule describe briefly the behavior expected of Jesus’ followers, it also sums up the Law and the Prophets. When we follow the Golden Rule, we keep the rest of God’s commands.
(Life Application Bible Commentary: Matthew)
This great truth is a principle that ought to govern our attitudes toward others. It must be practiced in every area of life. The person who practices the Golden Rule refuses to say or do anything that would harm himself or others. If our judging of others is not governed by this principle, we will become proud and critical, and our own spiritual character will degenerate.
Practicing the Golden Rule releases the love of God in our lives and enables us to help others, even those who want to hurt us.
But remember that practicing the Golden Rule means paying a price. If we want God’s best for ourselves and others, but others resist God’s will, then they will oppose us. We are salt, and salt stings the open wound. We are light, and light exposes dirt.
(Warren Wiersbe’s “Be” Series: Old & New Testaments)
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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