Golden

 Matthew 7:12 ESV 

 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. 
 

This verse is nicknamed the 'golden rule'. Other religions often have a negative version: 'don't do to others what you don't want them to do to you'. Jesus puts his command in the positive.

Elsewhere, the Law and the Prophets (the Old Testament) is summed up to be love of God and  of one another. That's what we (sometimes subconsciously) wish for ourselves and should do for others, to love them as Christ has loved us. We're to be prepared to lay down our lives for one another.

I appreciate 'love' could be seen to be vague. I don't just mean a mushy feeling. I don't even just mean being prepared to die for someone. True love is daily acts of joyful service for one another.

An important application of this verse for believers is to tell people the good news of salvation in Christ crucified. People told us, for us to believe. We should want others to be saved to, which means we need to tell them the Gospel, because that's how God saves.

'Sovereign Lord, please help us to fulfil this verse more and more in our lives. May we be defined by divine love. For your honour and praise we ask this, amen'. 

 

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