Thought for Today
Proverbs 24:29 Do not say, "I will do to others as they have done to me; I will pay them back for what they have done."
Isaiah 51:7 Listen to me, you who know righteousness, you people who have my teaching in your hearts; do not fear the reproach of others, and do not be dismayed when they revile you.
Matthew 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Matthew 7:12 "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.
The author in These Days today reflected on Luke’s version of the Golden Rule. It’s almost identical to the wording in Matthew. I have been enjoying the reflections of this particular author, because she lives in Giddings, Texas. Giddings is a town of about 5,000 residents and is about 50 miles from the state capital, Austin. The land was part of the original Mexican land grant to Stephen F. Austin. One of my seminary professors began his ministry in a church in Giddings and one of our friends lived in Giddings at one time. Greta and I have driven through Giddings many times.
My first thought this morning, as I read that devotional about the Golden Rule is that it may be the epitome of a rule that is most honored in its violation. How often do we do unto others as we would have them do to us? Do I really want others to get mad and honk at me in irritation as I change into their lane in front of them? Do I really want others to think silently that what I am saying is nonsense? Even, more, do I really want anyone to ever disagree with me and to say so out loud?
People are more likely to act in accordance with a different rule, ‘Do as I say, not as I do!’ In my sermon yesterday, I suggested that everyone take out their Bibles and read the 5th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. There is a very instructional series of reflections on laws and rules. They take the form of the verse above, “"You have heard that it was said,’ . . .' But I say to you . . .” For Christians, these reflections can prove a bit uncomfortable as we consider our lives.
“Loving enemies, doing good to those who hate us, blessing those who curse us, praying for those who mistreat us, turning the other cheek, doing to others as we would have them do to us: none of these come naturally to us.” I find these words offered by the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Giddings, Texas to be particularly insightful. Interestingly, she is married to a pastor of another faith tradition and is mother to 2 teenagers.
Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Christians try to pattern our lives after the life of Jesus. Jesus himself lived a life faithful to God. The God whom the psalmist describes as, “103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Do we live in a world of God’s children who are merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love? Do the events going on around us demonstrate mercy, graciousness and love?
It is true that only 2.2 billion of the earth’s 8.2 billion people are Christian. That is about 25% of the world’s population. Can 25% make a difference? Is it possible that through obeying Jesus’ final Great Commission to his disciples, “Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you . . . “ Christians can change human nature? Can we make a difference? Hopefully you are screaming a loud “YES!” whether silently in your mind or even out loud. We can, because of the rest of verse 20, “. . . And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
A good place for all of us to start making that difference, to start changing human nature, to advancing the Kingdom of God, is to start living “Luke 6:31Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Stay safe, make a difference, trust God,
Pastor Ray