3/09/04
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Luke
6:31(KJV)
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do
to you for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 (NIV)
Luke
relates to us that Jesus told his disciples to: “Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you.”
Matthew
tells us Jesus’ words a bit differently: ”So in everything, do to others what
you would have them do to you. . . .”
Both
passages deal with our interactions with others. Bible commentator Matthew
Henry spoke of this passage as being a way to extend justice or love, as if
their circumstances and ours were reversed.
The
authors of disciplines for the inner life relay new information to me; “We hear
of the modern version- Do unto others but do it first- but the words of Jesus
were given to a select group of people, those we were empowered to keep
them—God’s people.”
I find
this thought enlightening. Jesus gave this rule to those whom He loved and
trusted but evil man has perverted His meaning.
Matthew’s
rendition of this rule gives us another factor to look at. He says, “So in all
things/everything . . . .” His words tell me I can’t apply this principle when
I wish but I have to employ it in every waking moment of my day –in every
situation in which I find myself.
When I
do live by this principle I believe I model God for those around me. I have a
story about my experience with applying the Golden Rule to my life. I will
share that with you soon.
____________
UPDATE: I still have times when I fail to live by the Golden
Rule. But I find myself more cautious when I feel like saying things in a harsh
way. I still have some trouble with flippant remarks that come out of my mouth.
But I am still a work in progress; God’s not finished with me yet.
Llilnking up to:beneaththesurface-dawn
Llilnking up to:beneaththesurface-dawn