Matthew 7:12
Verse of the Day: Matthew 7:12
“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12
This verse is commonly called the Golden Rule. In essence, what Matthew is laying out is the idea that if we do not want to be treated a certain way, do not treat others that way. And, if you desire others to treat you in a certain way, treat others that way.
This is what Jesus referred to as the second greatest commandment. “And He answered, ‘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 foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39. He said this in response to a Pharisee lawyer who asked Jesus which command was the greatest. He responds with love.
How are we to love our neighbor? In the same way we love ourselves. If we are hungry and need food, we would like someone to give us something to eat. Then give others who are hungry something to eat. If we need to get somewhere but need someone to take us there, be open to taking others where they need to go. If we do not like to be gossiped about, do not gossip about others. This is a simple concept to understand but can be difficult sometimes to fulfill. If you find you cannot help someone for some reason, then help them find another who can. Remember what James said, “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?” James 2:16. Is this love, or are they just empty words?
Be God’s hands and feet on the earth. Do all you can to help those in need. If you cannot help them, then get them in touch with someone who can. Do not leave them in their difficult state. Would you want empty words over actual help?
William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.