Bible Thoughts

September 26, 2004

Some of you remember when a soft drink company passed out wooden rulers to school children with this motto: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This is a paraphrase of a statement made by the Lord; almost 2000 years ago. It is still a sound principle that will help one to adjust to this life. Is it not a pity that such is not being passed out to students, emphasized to them, and lived by those who seek to teach and guide youngsters. It is feared that many have long abandoned the principle expressed by the motto.(Some atheist or agnostic would probably sue any school distributing such a noble rule!)

The rule that some live by is: "Do unto others before they do it to you." Such cynics view everyone as being out to get them and that if they are to avoid being "taken in" by someone, they must strike first. One youngster who was in a public school class this author was teaching told this teacher his mother had taught him that and he tried to live up to it(This writer can attest he did!). Those who are always suspicious of others, seek to take advantage of others, or in any way try to keep the upper hand, live by such a rule as noted above.

Some people live by this rule: Do unto others as they have done to you. Their behavior never rises above those with whom they associate and/or have contact. If the other person does any unkindness to them, they repay in kind. If someone cheats them, they try to cheat another. For very unfortunate act committed against them, they so conduct themselves. Some such things may manifest itself among "Christians." "It I am not spoken to, I will not speak to him/her...if that is the way they feel about it, I'll remember it when they ask something of me." Such harboring of resentment and trying to do to others as they have done to you is far from the behavior of a Christian.

The Christian lives by the principle of Matthew 7:12, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets." The Christian knew that principle long before wooden rulers were manufactured. He knew that he could not mistreat others, yea, he could not even just treat others as they treated him. In order to be a servant of Jesus Christ, the Christian had to do to others as he desired others to do to him. This is not simply a golden rule, this is a Golden Life!

When the disciple of the loving Master engages in business, he practices the words of Christ by giving a full measure, paying his employees a just wage, giving a full day's work for his pay, giving proper respect to his superiors, and not harming or increasing his fellow worker's burden by his own failures.

In the realm of sports, the Christian seeks to practice the gospel rule. The faithful disciple uses his abilities, does not take advantage of others, controls his temper, is not a "poor" loser, and does not gloat over his accomplishments. One of this nature practices the golden rule.

While fulfilling civic duties, the Christian finds that he does not want others to disobey the law: he does not disobey. While realizing the burden placed upon others by failing to pay his taxes, the disciple of Christ does not try to escape his responsibilities. He respects law and order. The faithful one supports the government in its efforts to do right. The living example of the Christian inspires civil obedience because he is acting as he wants others to act.

There is an area where boundless opportunities exist for putting the golden rule into practice: the home. Have you ever placed yourself in the position of other family members and wondered how they would like to be treated? I wonder if the overbearing husband would be as mean? or the rebellious wife as hateful? or the abusive parents as willing to punish children unmercifully? or the children as sassy and disrespectful? If you were(are or) a husband...a wife...a parent...a child...a grandparent, etc., how would you want others to behave toward you?

The greatest opportunity to put Matthew 7:12 into actual practice may surprise many people. Just think--if every member of the Lord's church treated every other member as they would want to be treated, there would never be any gossip, any unkind words, any judging of motives, any failure to speak, any neglect of responsibility, ad infinitum. Oh, the possibilities are limitless. And, you know, it would not be long until all of the other areas would be affected.

Not everyone will try to live by the golden rule. Christians will be victimized by those who do not care, but this does not mean that disciples are free to repay in kind. Jesus willingly endured reproach, shame, and death at the hands of those who did not care. What he accomplished in his death, burial, and resurrection was doing for others what they could not do for themselves. The next time you feel like giving a person a dose of his own medicine, remember the Lord's statement as well as what He did for others.-jy

Joseph comforted his brethren and supplied their needs. Joseph had the power to do good, and he used that power for good; he had the opportunity to do good, and he had it in his heart to do good. When one has the heart to do good and the power to do good, there will be a way for him to exercise that power. The character of Joseph approaches more nearly the Christian ideal than any other Old Testament character. The gentle kindness and tender acts of Joseph toward his father and his brethren set us examples for overcoming evil with good. The only victory that God blesses is the victory of good over evil.-Gospel Advocate, June 16, 1932.

It isn't easy to apologize; to begin again; to admit error; to be unselfish; to face a sneer; to be considerate; to endure success; to keep on trying; to profit by mistakes; to forgive and forget; to think and then act; to keep out of the rut; to make the best of little; to shoulder deserved blame; to subdue an ugly temper; to maintain a high standard. But it always pays you!(Author Unknown--but wise)