"And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise."
~Luke 6:31
God’s golden rule is His universal law, it’s the unwavering balance of life, and none of us can escape it. Simply put, it’s life’s boomerang!
Jesus told His disciples, treat people the same way you want them to treat you. Most of us refer to this code of conduct as the Golden Rule, and in theory, we’d probably agree that it’s a good thing, but it’s another thing to live up to such a high standard. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you, and give in the same way you want to receive sounds relatively reasonable, so why then is it so darn hard to do?
We need to look at this a bit differently if we are ever going to get our heads wrapped around such a seemingly difficult to perform principle. We need to ask ourselves this one question, how do I want to be treated? More importantly, how do I want to be treated when I’m down and out, in an ill mood or worse yet, in a state of pain and suffering?
It’s easy to be kind to someone that’s nice to you, but it’s nearly impossible to be nice to someone that’s being an all-out jerk! Nevertheless, Jesus made a strong commentary on this very thing…
"But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful." ~Luke 6:32-38
Powerful words, huh? But the fact remains, if we want people to be kind to us when we aren’t all that lovable, we too must be willing to love the unlovable side of those around us.
"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” ~Matthew 5:44
This is the exact place that God has had me for a long time. It’s one of the hardest things for me to do when I’m angry with someone. How can we ever succeed at treating a jerk nice? There it is, the big question, and the answer is on our own we can't, but with empowerment from God, we can! Loving as Jesus commanded is impossible on our own, but not with God's help.
The only way I can ever have a desire to ask God for empowerment to do this is to fully understand that this is exactly what He does for me every single day. He forgives me even when I’m unforgivable. He never gives up on me, not even when I give up on Him.
My big breakthrough came once I realized that I had no power whatsoever over people who were mean to me, but . . . God did! Only He can impress them to be different. Once I realized this fact it became a lot easier for me to actually want to pray for those that were persecuting me.
Matthew continues on in verse five sharing what Jesus said regarding this, that by showing grace to those that treat us poorly we are emulating God. If you really think about it, this is exactly what God is doing for us when He loves us through our sins!
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven;Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” ~Matthew 5:44-45 & 48
The Bible is overflowing with verses about this so-called “Golden-Rule.” The simple fact is, it’s indisputable, it works, and it works because it is the power of love in action! This is just one of God’s many universal laws of cause and effect.
"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he pursposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
~2 Corinthians 9:6-7
So, if we can receive in direct proportion to how we give, give generously—if we can get love in correlation with how we give love, love with all your heart even to those that seem unlovable, and watch the power of God’s universal laws manifest right back to you.
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” ~Luke 6:38
Q: How can I love someone who hates me?
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