The Golden Rule -- Full message

 

Humans are capable of going very low

It is incredibly disappointing to see how cruel people can sometimes be to each other. It can actually make a person’s heart hurt.

It seems like most people—even those with a mean streak—would be inclined to take this type of approach: “I would never want someone to be really cruel to me therefore I will make it a point not to inflict this type of cruelty on others.”

But we humans are capable of going very low. Frankly, it’s not one of our better traits.

Jesus has simple, important, helpful and instructive words:

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…” Matthew 7:12

Is that how you want to be treated?

The Joke's On Me Because You Reap What You Sow

When I was young I had an unwarranted impression of myself and an impression of others that allowed me to think it was alright to mock certain people based on looks, station in life, character traits, physical characteristics and other factors.  I was foolish, unkind and wrong.

In some ways I was kidding around and simply trying to be funny.  At the time, I would have said, “Relax, it’s just a little good-natured joking around.”  But it was at the expense of others and it was not right.  It was definitely a violation of this guideline:  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Fast forward to the present and one of the strange, difficult lessons of my life has been the recognition that a number of things I once mocked in others are things that are now—to my chagrin—true of me.

It appears that I might be experiencing a variation of this principle: You reap what you sow.

Treating People The Way You Want Them To Treat You

This simple idea of genuinely treating other people the way that you would want them to treat you is actually quite profound.  And when we do apply this truth in our lives, we end up acting in ways that are fair, helpful, generous, compassionate and… well, right!