The Message of the Teachings on the Mount (73)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on May 24, 2011
Topic: The Golden Rule
No audio available for this study.Background
Last week, we concluded on the theme, ASKing, by looking at ‘The God Who Said ASK.’ We noted from our scripture text (Matthew 7:7-11) that parents give good things to their children when they ask for them, even though man is evil by nature; yet many find it difficult to believe that God who is good by nature, would give them good things if they ask for them. We therefore, looked at God’s nature and deeds over the ages and saw that He cannot tell us to ASK and not grant our ASKing!
We noted that God is not like man, who speaks and has no power in himself to do what he says; neither is He a liar, and does not say what He does not mean; nor is He like an idol, which is impotent, mute and unable to perform any task! Indeed, our God is Omni-potent, and good by nature. In fact, in His goodness, He sent His Son to die for man, so that He can bestow His goodness upon man. We also saw that God does not keep good things from those who ask Him (especially, if they are His children); but He loads us daily with numerous benefits, and overlooks our wrong, once we confess and repudiate them. Even when temptation comes our way, God allows it for our benefit—to develop Christian character in us. He asks us to follow His word, so that He can preserve us; and when things seem not to be going our way, He is working out something beneficial and advantageous for us!
We further saw that we can ask for anything, and God will give it to us. Some of these things include; wisdom, the Holy Spirit, and the kingdom itself—He said, “Ask of Me and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” (Psalm 2:8). God controls world leaders and gets them to do His bidding on behalf of His children. Also, He owns everything in the world, including men and money. So, there is nothing we want that He cannot give us. He can do anything, and a pregnant woman will deliver safely and naturally (without a caesarean section) if she allows Him to take her into the delivery room. When God says, “Ask”, it is because He wants to give you what He says to ask for—God cannot ask you to ask for something, if He does not intend to give it to you. And when you ask Him for something good, He cannot give you something evil! But, when you ask Him for anything, you must ask in faith, believing that you already have what you have requested, and you’ll have it (Mark 11:24)! So, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 (NLT).
Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 7:12
Our scripture text for tonight’s study is what is commonly referred to as, the ‘Golden Rule’. The scripture passage challenges us to do to (for) others what we want others to do to (for) us. It is interesting to note that the Lord did not speak in the negative by saying, “Do not do to others, what you don’t want others to do to you.” The former is positive, and proactive; while the latter is negative and passive. The Lord is telling us to initiate the doing of good deeds rather than retaliate evil for evil. May the Holy Spirit grant us the grace to do good deeds as is expected of us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Not only did the Lord ask us to do good deeds to others, He also said that this is the summary or totality of the Law and the Prophets (the Scriptures). Hence, by following the ‘golden rule’, we are essentially fulfilling the Scriptures. Another significant thing is that this injunction is predicated on the fact that no human being in his right sense will want to harm himself—since you want good for yourself, so likewise, do good to others!
Ephesians 5:29, 28; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14; Matthew 22:37-40; Leviticus 19:18; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8; Proverbs 17:9; 10:12; Romans 5:5-8; Proverbs 22:8; Hosea 8:7; Galatians 6:6-8, 1; James 5:19-20; 1:26; 3:2-14; Proverbs 10:19; 17:27-28; 16:24; 15:23; 25:11; Ephesians 4:29-32; 1 Kings 12:1-16; Acts 2:1-4; Isaiah 6:1-8; James 1:19-20; Matthew 7:1-12.
Conclusion
If we are to follow the teachings of our Lord on doing to (for) others what we want others to do to (for) us; we need a combination of love, good deeds, and godly speech. Love covers a multitude of sins or offences and enables us overlook wrong that has been done to us. But the love that can overlook a wrong is the God-kind of love, called ‘charity’ in the KJV or ‘agape’ in Greek. It is long-suffering, kind, humble, well-mannered, selfless, tolerant, forbearing, trusting, enduring, and does not expect anything in return. Charity takes the initiative—it does not wait for people to treat us well before it manifests itself to them; and it is the bedrock for good deeds and kind words. Indeed, only God, through the Holy Spirit can give us charity. Good deeds are acts of kindness towards others that are proper, rather than coerced. For example, it is proper, and expected that those who labour in the vineyard of God benefit from our material substance; hence tithes, offerings, first-fruits, gifts, etc., are avenues and channels to do this. Also, we who are standing must help those who are spiritually weak or those who have fallen along the way in the Christian walk, rather than judge them and avoid them. Remember, whatsoever a man sows, that shall he reap! Godly speech, is becoming of all Christians. We need to speak kind, warm, and godly words; rather than some of the hurtful and hateful words that proceed from our mouths. People’s lives and faith have been ruined by ungodly and unguarded remarks; hence, we should be slow to speak, but quick to listen. Again, we need the Holy Spirit to control of our tongues; otherwise, we can lose great things that God wants to give us—like Rehoboam lost 10 tribes out of 12, because of rough speaking.
If we, through the Holy Spirit, can do these things, our inter-personal relationships will be more than what can be learned from business seminars or leadership schools. God’s way of making us able to live peaceably with all men is in keeping the ‘golden rule’, and we have the Holy Spirit to help us, if we would let Him.
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