"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
Matthew 7:12
A Golden Rule for the Poor in Spirit
Jesus had become something of a sensation. Crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan came to him. But before things got too crazy, Jesus wanted time away with his followers. So he went up on a mountainside and his disciples came to him. Then he spoke his Sermon on the Mount. One of the truths he taught: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God" (Matthew 5:3).
Have you been led to see how spiritually impoverished you are? Do you recognize that you have nothing to bring to God, but your sin? Has the Spirit led you to Jesus as your only hope? Then you are blessed, blessed with the wealth of your Savior's righteousness won for you by his death on the cross. You have experienced firsthand the love of Jesus who has rescued you from the curse of sin and eternal death. By faith he has given to you a glorious life with him forever.
Later in his sermon, Jesus said, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Do for others what you would have them do to you, because you have a Savior who has done more for you than you could ever imagine. This command, the golden rule, serves as a guiding principle for Christian lives and sums up God's will for his people.
Do for others what you would want them to do for you. Who are you going to interact with today? How can you treat them as you want to be treated? If you are a parent, how can you love your child as God has loved you? If you are going to work today, how can you work like you would want someone to work for you? In your relationships, how can you listen to someone as you would want a friend to listen to you? If you have money or other resources, how can you use these things for others as you would want someone to use them for you?
Do for others what you would have them do to you. Responding thankfully to God's love for you in Jesus, this gives you enough to do today and every day.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you have replaced my spiritual poverty with the riches of your righteousness. Moved by your love, lead me to treat others as I would want them to treat me. Amen.
The focus of devotions on Thursdays and Fridays in January is Truths for Today.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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