Do Unto Others

Verse of the day: Matthew 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

This verse of Scripture is well known to many as "The Golden Rule". In a nutshell, it tells us to not do to others what we would hate for others to do to us. In its context, the first thing that is written in this chapter has to do with judging others. Too often, we cast judgment upon others, only to be hypocritical in our judgment. Too many Christians use Matthew 7:1 as a crutch to continue sinning or to push back when another brother or sister is trying to help them overcome a temptation or sinful situation. Sadly, the "push back" comes because of the well-meaning Christian's attitude in trying to help out the person who has sinned. In trying to correct an erring brother or sister, we sometimes come across as mean-spirited, and angry. This is the worst approach we can take in dealing with others (James 1:20); for it is not how God deals with us to turn us back to Himself. Romans 2:4 tells us that it is God's goodness that turns us back to repentance. We all have the ability to judge what is right or what is wrong, based on God's Word, but judgment for wrong doing has been given solely to the Lord (Romans 2:1; 1 Cor 4:1-5). Yes, I understand that sometimes we must put someone out of fellowship when they refuse to leave their sinful ways, as instructed in 1 Cor 5:3-5. However, no where in those Scriptures are we told to do it in a spirit of hate or self-righteousness. Just as God does not allow us to continue in sin, and deals with us in love; so are we to do the same. We need to first look inward, and approach others with the same love, and forgiveness God approaches us with, dealing in humility, and a goal of reconciliation (Gal 6:1-3). The other area Jesus addresses in this chapter of Matthew, in respect to doing to others, is the area of giving to others (Matt 7:7-11). When we pray, and ask God to meet our needs, He is faithful to give us what we need (and already knows what we need before we even ask). So, how can we, as His children, keep back from others in their time of need? What good is our faith if we have the ability to give, but hold back? Too often we have the means to help, but tell the person that we'll pray for them, without offering to help them ourselves. Our refusal to help another in need is an indication that our faith is weak; as we are to prove our faith, by what we are willing to do for others, as we trust God to take care of us, and our needs (James 2:14-18). The bottom line is that Jesus told us that we are to love our Lord with all that we are, and our neighbor as ourselves. With that in mind, we must really stop and consider how we treat others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. When they stumble, do we add to their hurt? When they are in need, do we leave them in despair, even though God may want to use us to be the answer to their prayers? How would we want others to treat us when we stumble? How would we want others to be respond to us when we have a need? As representatives of Jesus, we sometimes give little thought to the consequences of our words, and actions. Let us stop, think, and ask ourselves, "Can I do or say this to the glory of God?" We are here, not to prove how good or holy we are. We are here to glorify God, and share and show Christ to others (both in word and deed).