Being the ultimate wordsmith, Jesus has saved the most significant words until the last. What you are about to read is commonly called the Golden Rule.
Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
The principle? Modeling must accompany our message. You want to be forgiven? Forgive. You need affirmation? Affirm. You feel hurt, wounded, broken, and could stand a gentle touch? Be gentle with others. You have discovered the value of tact when something sensitive needed to be addressed? Be tactful. The examples are endless. Unfortunately, models of such great-hearted behavior are rare. Is it any wonder the non-Christian world looks with suspicion in our direction?
The best part of the whole principle? It’s so simple. Living by the Golden Rule prevents the need for laying down an endless list of little rules and regulations to govern conduct. Just put yourself in the other person’s place and think, What is it I would need if I were him or her? And then? Do it.
Do you know the greatest message we can deliver? It is the message of Christlike character. No message on earth is more needed or more powerful.
You want to impact your family, your church, your community, your place of employment? You want to make a difference in the life of your mate, a family member, a friend (Christian or not), some person in the workplace? Demonstrate the characteristics of Christ.
No need to drop gospel tracts from a low-flying airplane or display a bright red twenty-foot-square “Jesus Saves” flag over your house. No need to stick a fish-shaped symbol on your car or quote a lot of verses every day to your neighbor or rant and rave against all the ills of society down at city hall. Just take the distilled essence of the Christian message as contained in the words of the Golden Rule and live it out. Morning to night. Day after day. Week after week. Month in, month out. Spring, summer, fall, and winter. You will be astounded at the impact that kind of simple-faith lifestyle will make.
Copyright © 1991, 2003 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc.
Used with permission. All rights reserved.
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