Matthew 7:12
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Ever think about how you’d like to be treated? My guess is the answer is yes, more often than we might want to admit. We all want to be treated well, but often, for whatever reason, we face challenges of the opposite. Nevertheless, the Bible gives us a simple method of getting along with others: In all things, doing to others as we would have them do to us.
Perhaps Matthew 7:12 is known as The Golden Rule of the Bible because it actually summarizes the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. This one rule flows into every area of the Christian life. By treating others the way we’d like to be treated, we show our best behavior toward someone else.
The chief attribute of this conduct is love. When we love others, we show we want the best for them, displaying care and concern for their well-being. This behavior could range from mild to more intense, depending on the circumstances of our experience with them. Yet, just by being cordial and polite, we make others’ experiences with us pleasant.
When we show respect toward others, we honor them as better than ourselves, as shown in Philippians 2:3, “in humility consider others more important than yourselves.” We are considerate of their feelings, worth, and boundaries. As believers, we see them as Christ sees them. So, despite their financial status, color, size, age, place of birth, etc., we treat them as valuable creations of God. Galatians 6:10 teaches us, “… as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
When we are disappointed or treated badly by others, our Bible teaches us to extend forgiveness, not holding a grudge, but releasing the offense against them, knowing in doing so, our heavenly Father forgives us, and we receive our reward from Him.
Moreover, we demonstrate Christ’s compassion for others by showing empathy, putting ourselves in their shoes, and having concern for their suffering or misfortunes. Considering this, the Bible tells us in Romans 12:15 to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
We’re reminded in Colossians 3:12, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” This verse offers some wonderful ways we can treat one another honorably.
Honoring someone requires humility, not overvaluing one’s own importance at the expense of theirs. Showing a mild and tender temperament toward someone is not a mark of being “soft,” as in a debasing way, as is sometimes defined in today’s culture. But gentleness is actually a fruit of the Holy Spirit that Jesus attributes to himself in Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Ms. Rita's Minute 