“In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
Welcome back to "A Word from the Vine." I'm Pastor Loren. Brothers and sisters, as I introduced this series about the universality of the Golden Rule in our last episode, let’s first take a moment to reflect on the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. Here, Jesus gives us a command that is both simple and profound: "In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you." This is not just a suggestion or a piece of good advice; it is a foundational principle that underpins all Christian ethics.
When Jesus says, "for this is the Law and the Prophets," He is telling us that this principle encapsulates the essence of God’s commandments. It is a summary of the moral teachings found throughout the Scriptures. Think about it—if we truly lived by this rule, how different would our world be? How different would our relationships be?
This teaching calls us to empathy and compassion. It asks us to put ourselves in the shoes of others and to treat them with the same kindness, respect, and love that we desire for ourselves. It challenges us to move beyond selfishness and to consider the well-being of those around us.
In our daily lives, this might mean offering a helping hand to someone in need, speaking words of encouragement to someone who is down, or simply showing patience and understanding in our interactions. It means being mindful of how our actions affect others and striving to be a positive influence in their lives.
Jesus’ teaching here is not just about avoiding harm; it is about actively doing good. It is about being proactive in our love and care for others. As followers of Christ, we are called to be His hands and feet in the world, demonstrating His love through our actions.
So, let us take this command to heart. Let us strive to live out the Golden Rule in all that we do, knowing that in doing so, we are fulfilling the very heart of God’s law.
Join me next time when we look at the Golden Rule in Judaism. Thanks for listening.
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