Due to family illness, there were no Daily Devotionals for October 28/29. We should be back on track now. Thank you for your patience!
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Matthew 7:12
Treat others as you want them to treat you. This is what the Law and the Prophets are all about.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There is an old adage that says… “People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.” And that is exactly what this scripture passage (sometimes called “The Golden Rule”) is saying. If you want people to be kind to you, make the first move and be kind to them. If you expect people to respond promptly, show up on time, answer phone calls and e-mail messages, and be responsible, give them an example to follow!
I can’t promise that others will respond in kind… but this is not the point. When you make a habit of treating others as you wish to be treated, you will know that you have honored God’s law and modeled Christian behavior for others. When you show others you care, don’t anticipate the same attention in return. Be content to know that you did YOUR part.
We have heard this scripture quoted all of our lives. And treating others as we wish to be treated should be the cardinal guideline for Christians. But I think sometimes we feel like this is something of a “magic bullet”… that if we are nice and respectful to others… if we care enough and do enough… others will follow suit. Sadly, this is just not the case. But it shouldn’t matter. Do not follow “The Golden Rule” for what you can receive from others. Live by this scripture because this aligns you with Christ. This is what Jesus does for us every day. None of us gives Him as much as we get in return… but He keeps on loving us and showering us with grace, mercy, compassion and forgiveness.
Treat others as you wish to be treated… not so they will reciprocate, but because it is the right thing to do, according to God’s law. I’m willing to bet you will see at least a few positive results. But either way, you will know that you have honored your commitment to Jesus Christ. When pleasing Him is all that matters, you will have turned a major corner in your life as a Christian. Are you ready to take that step?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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