Which Rule Do You Live By?

Matt 7:12 - "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets."

Matt 7:12 - "Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get.
(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

• The Golden Rule 

Do to others what we would want others to do to us. Treat people the way you want to be treated. There are many ways to say what is known as the "Golden Rule". I believe that a majority of the problems in the world would cease if everyone obeyed the "Golden Rule".
 
However, I can't see that happening until the next life. 

• Replacement Rules 

The world has quite a few different mottoes. One motto is "Do to others before they do to you." What is meant by this is do something to them in a bad way before they have the opportunity to do it to you. Or "Do to others what they do to you." Again, this one would violate the scripture that references revenge.
 
Romans 12:19 - Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. 
 
Something has been done to you that you believe was offensive and so you want to give them a good ole fashion "pay back". If one is a Christian there is no room for a "pay back" as that is God's job to pay back someone for the evil they have done. 

• Your Rule 

The real question is which "rule" are we going to live by? Will we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us by obeying what Jesus taught? Let me share it with you again: "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you,…"
 
Also, the apostle Paul said, in 1 Corin. 13:4-5 - Love is patient, … is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,…"
 
If we don't take into account the wrong we have suffered then we won't be seeking revenge.
 
Paul also said in Colossians 3:25 - For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.
 
When we "trust" God we know He sees what someone has done to us and we believe that He will repay the person for the evil they have done to us. I am reminded of the story of Joseph and how his brothers sold him into slavery.
 
Yet, their conscience convicted them as can be seen in this text: Gen. 42:21-23 - Then they said to one another, "Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us." 22 Reuben answered them, saying, "Did I not tell you, 'Do not sin against the boy'; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood."  
 
Have you ever had your conscience convict you? What a horrible feeling. There is absolutely no place that you can run to that will alleviate the conviction torture that comes from your convicting conscience.
 
The best way to pump yourself up today is practice the "Golden Rule". Go and do something great for someone.
 
Think About These:
 
People who live by the Golden Rule today never have to apologize for their actions tomorrow.
 
Practicing the Golden Rule isn't a sacrifice, it is an investment.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

​Minister of God's Word