Do Unto Others

Read: Matthew 7:7-12

Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. --- Matthew 7:12

The Bible In One Year:
2 Samuel 1-3
Proverbs 13:13-25

In May 2006, David Sharp set off from base camp to make his third attempt on Mount Everest. He actually reached the summit, but on his way down he ran out of oxygen. As he lay on the side of the mountain dying, 40 climbers passed him by.

Some say that at such oxygen-deprived altitudes, rescues are too perilous. But others say that climbers are too eager to reach the top and too selfish to help those in trouble.

I wonder what would have happened if someone who passed that stricken climber had said, "I will treat him the way I want to be treated."

In Matthew 7:12, the golden rule, Jesus gave His disciples the secret to fulfilling the entire Old Testament relational regulations --- love others and live for their benefit. He said this in the larger context of all the radical principles that He had taught up tho this point in His sermon [5:17-7:11].

As difficult as it is to live for the benefit of others, Jesus knew His followers could consistently live out this ethic as they drew strength from a righteousness that went beyond duty and outward conformity to rules [5:20]. It is a righteousness that can come only from God Himself.

If we are Jesus-followers, let's walk in His steps --- loving others and living for their benefit. --- Marvin Williams

Love is an attitude, love is a prayer;
For someone in sorrow, a heart in despair;
Love is good will for the gain of another,
Love suffers long with the fault of a brother. --- Anon.

LOVE IS THE DEBT WE OWE ONE ANOTHER.