Matthew 7: 7-12
“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This
isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread,
do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a
live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing.
You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who
conceived you in love will be even better?
“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.
Golden Rule!
As you give, so shall you receive. If you knew of one
specific thing you could do that would bring you happiness in your life, your
family, your job, your neighbourhood, would you do it? Of course you would.
Well, such a tool is available. It is called the Golden Rule. It is the summary
of all the Bible, of all the prophecies, of all the sermons you hear every time
in our churches. All preachers are saying this one thing in various ways.
Do to others what you want them do to you. Or as the gospel
of today put it, Ask yourself what you want people to do for you in your case,
then grab the initiative and do it for them. How would you like others to treat
you when you're wrong, when you're sick, when you have sinned, when you're
broke, when you don't know, etc.? Treat them likewise. This is simple,
rule-of-thumb guide for holiness and sanctity. Let us explain.
We all often want to know what is right. Even in a single
day, we come across situations whereby we have to make decisions. And you agree
with me that there are gray situations that are difficult to know if they are
right or wrong. So, the question Jesus answers for us is, Where can you find a
standard that will work in every situation, or a guide that will help us to
sleep well at night, will help us prosper in business, will help in marriage,
in friendships and in every kind of situations?
Such a rule that works all the time is called golden rule.
Why is it golden? Well, because it applies to all situations. You can use it
all the time, under all circumstances whatsoever. In your private life, your
family life, your professional life; everywhere, every time, everyday. Just ask
yourself, How would I like to be treated in this situation? Just imagine
yourself in the place of the other person. And by other person I mean your
spouse, your client, your boss, your house girl.
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