Back to Basics
Thursday, January 17, 2008
“Talk is Cheap…”
12“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 NLT
Today’s Scripture may remind you of Sunday School if your experience was like mine. In my Sunday School days the “Golden Rule” as Matthew 7:12 is known, was frequently brought out as a verse for memorization, and also as a verse to remind us that we needed to treat others as we wanted to be treated when we WEREN’T doing that! Jesus tells us that the ESSENCE of all that is taught in the law of the prophets are contained in the simple ACTION of doing to others, what we would want them to do to us. Isn’t that amazing? In fact, as we’ve been considering the importance of hiding God’s word in our heart all this week, as a means of changing our beliefs, what better belief to anchor in our hearts than Matthew 7:12. Think about it. The world says, “Don’t get mad, get ______.” We all know the blank is filled with the word “even.” Instead of believing that we are to DO to others what we want them to do to us, we sometimes think that we ought to do to others BEFORE they do to us! That belief causes many folks to take “pre-emptive” action in passing out insults. After all, eventually people tend to cut one another down, so why not be the first one to take a swipe at someone else? WHY NOT? Because Jesus says, “Do to others whatever you would LIKE them to do to you.” We don’t LIKE to be cut down. We don’t LIKE to be insulted. In fact, we like to be built up and encouraged. Then that’s what we are called to DO! You may be thinking by this point in the week—Chris, what has gotten into you? Why this big emphasis on changing our hearts, and DOING more to be like Jesus? Well the answer to what’s gotten into me is—MORE of God’s word. I’ve been realizing that why Dr. Smalley’s advice works is that when we are meditating on Scripture as we drive down the road, for example, that it’s virtually impossible to be upset at the driver in front of or behind me. Believe me, I’ve never had problems getting upset with drivers in front of or behind me in the past. But as I meditate on God’s word, even if it’s “just” Matthew 7:12, I’m reminded that the driver in front of me is created in the image of God, and is either a brother or sister in Jesus, or a potential sibling in Him! I’m reminded that my being late isn’t going to be his or her fault, but mine, because I didn’t leave soon enough to account for people driving the actual speed limit!
Questions and Comments for Reflection and Action:
Do you typically exercise Matthew 7:12 in everyday living?
Do you give folks the benefit of the doubt that you would want from them?
If yes, PRAISE God! If not why not make today a day of “test driving” the concept and see what a difference it makes!