“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.” Mt.7:12
My King James Version of God’s Word says that this verse aka The Golden Rule, is a summary of all the teachings in verses 1-12 (of Matthew chapter 7). When we see the word “therefore” we should read the ‘before!’ Therefore, I shall publish them.
“Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
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.”
God’s spiritual law exists whether we acknowledge it or not, and no man can change it!
I know you have experienced receiving something you remember having done for someone else, whether good or bad. I have seen people who have stolen and cheated have it come back to them. And they asked why. I wanted to say ‘hey, remember when,’ but I refrained. I’ve seen it in my own life, and know it’s because we reap what we sow, and that’s a promise. Can we live that we may not create more regrets? Can we make all the right decisions from now on? Take away our emotions, and maybe we could! Read God’s Word, disciplining ourselves to time each day in God’s Word, no matter what chapters, just get into it, and I promise you that God will move His Word around in our Bibles so we will read what He wants us to. Sometimes it’s a subject I’ve tried to avoid and it finds me, no matter what chapter I read! His Word is liquid, it’s living waters! And He moves it through the pages of His Word. I promise you He does. It doesn’t seem possible, but He does move His Word. Those of you who read it know! You know I’m telling truth. Our God can do anything!
Just seek Him! We have to make the second step! He’s already made the first! He sent Jesus! Now if we would just submit to Him and open our Bibles, with a sincere and willing heart, asking Him to reveal Himself to us through His Word, and open our understanding for more of Him, I guarantee He will. What? Don’t take my word, take His! He said “7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
And a note to pastors, preachers and teachers - I must share this: Speak what God tells you to speak, not what your emotions and mental intellect move you to speak. Remember what happened to Moses when he smote the rock instead of speaking to it.
We need to show people how loving, merciful, compassionate, and forgiving God is, while warning them what will happen if we don’t obey Him. The same goes for us who want to show people how good God is. Who would want to love a God who is only full of punishment? That’s not our God. Our God loves us and sent us Jesus.
Moses reacted out of his emotions, not in obedience to God. We must put aside our emotions and react the way God tells us to in His Word.
‘Father God, we want to love others as we love ourselves, so teach us Your ways, through Your living Word, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen’
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