Doing To Others What We Want Done To Us

-January 19, 2022-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

(Matthew 7:12).

Jesus came into this world to fulfill the law. He said in Matthew 5:17-18, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will be no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” In the Hebrew alphabet a jot and a tittle are the smallest marks.

Our Lord wrote the Law and sent the prophets. He was the only one to keep the Law perfectly. In today’s text He tells us how we can fulfill the Law by practicing love to others in how we treat others. He says, “Whatever you want men to do you, do also to them.” Think for a moment how you want to be treated. We all want to be loved, forgiven, and treated with honor, dignity, and respect. We want others to be patient with us, listen to what we have to say, and consider our opinions. We can certainly think of of many other things. Now, we must treat others that way, all the time.

This verse has been traditionally called “The Golden Rule.” So many think if they follow this verse they will go to heaven. None of us can keep the whole law perfectly. We are sinners. That is why Jesus had to die in our place on the cross to save us from our sins. Once we are saved, we are indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live holy lives and to do good to others. The teachings of Christ were given to us in the four gospels, and were further explained and applied to our lives in the rest of the NT. The whole Bible is our guidebook for living. The OT explains the NT, and the NT explains the OT. It all fits together perfectly.

Since we are followers of Christ as His disciples, we must obey Him in all things and do His will. When we love one another, we are loving Him; when we do things for others, we are doing them as unto the Lord Himself. It is a challenge that we must take up daily. Christianity is about doing not just talking, and putting our love to action.

Have a blessed day doing good to others and putting love to action. Stay safe and healthy.

In His matchless love,

Dean