Matthew 7:12 “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
When you go into a store, how do you expect to be treated? Obviously in a kind, loving, courteous manner. After all, who wants to shop at a place where the employees treat you in a gruff, disrespectful way?
What is something that most of us have heard as children growing up? “Keep your hands to yourself.” Chances are if someone has heard this then they may have been using their hands to do something to someone else that they did not like. Would you want someone to slap you in the face? Most likely that answer would be “no,” as that is not a good feeling to receive, so the right thing to do in any situation is to treat others in the way that you would want to be treated.
Love is the end of the commandment, Jesus taught. To treat others as you would want to be treated is exactly how Jesus lived and taught His apostles to live. Not just to those you are close to, such as your close friends and family, but to treat everyone with this same kind of love. To “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 10:25-37 “And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”
When Jesus died on the cross, whose sins did He die for? Just the sins of His disciples and followers? No, he died for the sins of everybody, the entire world. He showed everyone, good and bad, the same treatment. Those who may have sinned only a couple times and those who might have sinned hundreds each are the recipient of Christ’s love. Jews, Gentiles, black, white, male, female–all are treated the same by Christ, and we need to follow that example and apply it in our lives.
Don’t want someone to steal from you? Don’t steal from others. Do you want others to spread false rumors about you? If not, then act accordingly. As we read about the Good Samaritan, our neighbor is not just those who live next door, but is everyone. Whoever it is doesn’t matter, make sure that you treat them all the same, with love. Love your neighbor as yourself.
In Christ
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 