Tag Archives: golden rule

The kingdom way (Luke 6:27-31) October 3, 2016

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year – Numbers 29-32

see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)

Today’s Devotional

Luke 6:27-31
Jesus: If you’re listening, here’s My message: Keep loving your enemies no matter what they do. Keep doing good to those who hate you. Keep speaking blessings on those who curse you. Keep praying for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, offer the other cheek too. If someone steals your coat, offer him your shirt too. If someone begs from you, give to him. If someone robs you of your valuables, don’t demand them back. Think of the kindness you wish others would show you; do the same for them.

What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. We learn that ‘golden rule’ as a kid, but do we really understand what Jesus meant by it? We like to send it out to others as they rail against us or sometimes when our anger starts to boil over and we’re about to levy some pretty harsh punishment against someone for the wrongs they committed against us. At times like those we stop and quote that verse to ease the pain of whatever punishment or action is about to happen.

That’s what most people think about when they read that isolated verse out of context. But that’s what I like about the translation I’ve been sharing with you the last few years. The Voice gets it right, even if you pull that verse out of the rest of the paragraph. Listen to it again.

“Think of the kindness you wish others would show you; do the same for them.”

Now lets go back and put the verse back into the context in which Jesus was talking to those who were listening to His sermon and see what He really means.

Remember the Jews lived in an occupied country. Israel had not enjoyed political self rule as a nation since the Babylonians laid final siege to the city and destroyed it in 587 BC. At this time, they lived under the rule of the Roman Empire. Soldiers walked the streets constantly. They had the authority to press individuals into service for them to carry their loads, give them food or shelter, take whatever implements or utensils they might need. The Roman soldiers had significant leeway from Rome to do as they pleased in the occupied nations.

Fortunately, most of the soldiers were relatively decent human beings and wanted to keep peace. The officers who led them knew that if they went too far, the entire populace might rise up against them and there were not enough soldiers in all of Israel to stop a massive uprising against the garrisons within the sound of their reach. Rome wielded great power against those she conquered, but Rome also knew her power was limited to the fear they could induce and that fear was based on the greatest number of people fearing death at the hands of her soldiers in battle.

Why the short history lesson? Because Jesus was talking to a crowd that understood their predicament with Rome. Most hated the soldiers who came into their homes at their pleasure or ordered them to carry their baggage from town to town or took the food from their tables when food was sometimes scarce. The Jews hated the Romans for what they did and who they were as an occupying force.

Now put that verse back into context. Jesus was talking about doing all these good things for your enemies. Do all these good things for those who hate you as much as you might hate them. Walk the extra mile, turn the other check, give up your coat and cloak to your enemy. Then He adds that haunting verse at the very end of that paragraph.

“Think of the kindness you wish others would show you; do the same for them.”

What would you like someone to do for you today? Would you like someone to take you to lunch? Then find that person who is your enemy and take them to lunch. That’s what Jesus is telling this crowd and us to do.

Would you like someone to get you a new shirt or blouse? Pick out one that you really like, wrap it up and give it to that co-worker that really gets on your nerves every day. That’s what Jesus is telling this crowd and us to do.

Would you like someone to listen to your complaints without interruption? Go to the person who drives you crazy with all their complaints and just listen to them. Don’t interrupt, take notes, let them know you really care about their issues. See where you might help ease their burden because of your past experiences. That’s what Jesus is telling this crowd and us to do.

Is this an easy task? By no means. It takes Jesus living in us to accomplish what He tells us to do here. But what a difference it will make in your piece of the world when you start operating with His rules instead of the world’s. Everyone around you will think you’re crazy. But they thought He was too. Even His brothers and sisters came to get Him because they thought He lost His mind.

So what will you today for someone? Think of the kindness you wish others would show you; then find one of those folks that border on the hate list and do it for them. That’s the kingdom way. 

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

The Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12) February 1, 2016

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Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year – Genesis 16-19

see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)

Today’s Devotional

Matthew 7:12
Jesus This is what our Scriptures come to teach: in everything, in every circumstance, do to others as you would have them do to you.

What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?

We like to turn this around and have others treat us like we want to be treated, but do we really stop and listen to what Jesus teaches us in this short verse? He sums up what love is all about here. Love springs from the scriptures. God is the very essence of love and shares it in the words He leaves us. So Jesus sums up the those teachings in this simple formula. “in everything, in every circumstance, do to others as you would have them do to you.”

We too often think that applies to mercy and justice. When someone hurts us, what would we like done to us? We want mercy, of course, so we should show that person mercy. When someone insults us, our human tendency is to retaliate and do the same, but we stop and listen to this teaching and ask ourself, what would we want done to us, so we don’t insult in return, right? These are good things. I’m not saying stop that self analysis before you react in ways God does not want you to react.

But let’s stop and consider the deeper thought Jesus shared with His listers and with us. Remember He gives instructions that turns us away from selfish motive. He turns us to think of others. He points us toward doing good deeds for the benefit of those we can touch. Demonstrate God’s love through our actions. So if that’s what Jesus has been telling us to this point, He probably means to carry that message through with this tidbit of instruction as well. This command isn’t just about showing mercy. It isn’t about holding off on our vengeance against those that wrong us as we so often want to use this verse.

Jesus give us these words to spark us into action. Listen to those words once more. “In everything, in every circumstance, do to others as you would have them do to you.” So stop for just a minute and think. What would you like someone to do for you today? Would you like someone to tell you, “I love you?” Then find somone and tell them those words and mean it. Would you like someone to compliment your work efforts? Then find one of your co-workers and compliment them.

Would it be nice if someone paid for your gas at the pump? Fill the tank of the next car that pulls up at the pump next to you. Would you like to get flowers? A book you’ve been wanting to read? A meal at a restaurant? A ride somewhere? Just stop and think about what you would want someone to for you today. Then do it for someone else.

Talk about turning the world upside-down. I will tell you that you’ll get some strange looks. People will think you’re weird. Some folks won’t accept you’re gift and you’ll have to go to the next person or convince them you’re not trying to steal their kids or something. You might have an opportunity to tell them the meaning of this great verse.

This verse changes how you look at the world. It changes how you approach each day. It changes how you view your enemies and your friends. It changes your relationships in your family. It turns you into a giver instead of a taker. It forces you to think about others and what you can do for them instead of always looking out for your own interests. It builds community.

Think about what would happen in your office if you and everyone around you began each day with this attitude toward your customers and each other. How would this attitude change your neighborhood? How would this attitude change your church? What would it do to your family? How would things change if everyone began to do things for others in every circumstance that they would want done for themselves?

Do you think we might see doors opened for others again? People giving up their seats in crowded places? Politeness in lines? Words of gratitude to cashiers and customers? Would we start to see people smiling and saying hello to each other again without thinking they’re about to be mugged or sold something they don’t want or surveyed? We would be transported back to a society we haven’t seen in decades when we thought we were a Christian nation.

Stop today and let this verse sink in for you. Meditate on it. Write down some of those things you would like someone to do for you today, then go out and do them for someone else. You’ll be amazed at the change in attitude that will come over you when you do. They don’t have to be big or expensive, just simple, random acts of kindness. You’ll make someone’s day and it will make yours, too. Try it.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.