Do Unto Others

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.

This is commonly known as "The Golden Rule." Jesus says that to value others as we value our own selves and needs would fulfill the whole Old Testament  ("The Law and The Prophets"), all the rules for living and everything that God has planned out for this Earth from beginning to end.

It makes sense. If I love my neighbor, I won't steal from him, lie to or about him, murder him, steal his spouse's affections, or desire to possess what he owns rather than work to get my own. And if I love God, I won't consider any other thing as more important than He is, or make a statue to worship, or use His Name in any but the most respectful way. I will honor the position my parents have over me, regardless of how good or bad I think their parenting to have been. And I will also honor both God and myself in taking off work one day a week for rest and worship. 

That covers the Ten Commandments. And all the other rules and statutes and laws stem from those two tablets. And all the prophets preached about how God's people were "missing the mark" of even trying to follow the Creator's "guidelines" for how to get along in this world. And all the future prophesies will unfold in time, revealing all the consequences of not following our Lawgiver's direction. 

But I read "the last chapter," so I know that our Almighty Sovereign will even all odds, straighten out all that is twisted, right all wrongs, and award every created being the awards each has earned, be it positive or negative. 

So let us all strive to consider others in our lives as worth our love and affection, regardless of what it costs us, as our Father has lavished His love on us.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!