Last week my boss walked into my office and asked me if I was treating others as I want to be treated. While this was rather random, it was also very timely. I had just studied Matthew 7 and verse 12 reads:
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Evidently he had just shared this concept in a meeting. Everyone knows the saying because we are taught it as the Golden Rule. Imagine how the workplace (or our daily lives for that matter!) would be if we actually did follow this “rule.” It fits nicely with taking the high road.
As a listened to the BSF lecture on that verse I was very convicted. I’m not sure that each one of these was said. I’m pretty sure I made up a few of my own that I thought of as well:
If I want forgiveness, forgive.
If I want to be loved, love.
If I want to be heard, listen.
If I want compassion, be compassionate.
If I want to be helped, help.
You get the idea. However, this is easier said than done. Generally, we have our own interests in mind. But God is not asking us to do anything that He hasn’t already done Himself. He wants us to show the same love to others as He has shown to us. In fact, I just heard in a sermon yesterday that the greatest commandment does not start with “thou shalt not” but is to love God first and then love others.
“And he {Jesus} said to him, ‘You shall love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” Matthew 22: 37-38
Of course I am not saying that I could ever love the same way God loves, forgive the way God forgives or show mercy as God shows mercy. Only through His strength can I even attempt it. And that’s where it begins. I must spend the time in His Word (the Bible) and in prayer to know Him and His will for me. Only then I can I truly “do unto others.” All of this takes time. However, that is another Musing. Maybe next week….
Until then, grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Have a great day!