Daily Bread 3-12-18
The Sermon on the mount (cont'd)
Matthew 7:12
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
ref. - Lk 6:31 - And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Lv 19:18 - Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.
No matter which way you look, the will of God on this matter remains the same. Old Testament, New Testament, either way God wants us to treat one another the way that we would like to be treated ourselves. Now, as we mature in the word of God and in knowledge of his will we will also wish what some see as bad to come upon ourselves as we know we will grow from it, so the same goes for our neighbour or brother. What, might you ask, does this mean? It means things such as if we commit an offense and do not repent or ask forgiveness for it that we are to be corrected and left alone. Sometimes we need to be left alone to understand the severity of our actions. We need to reflect on our actions and assess the damage that we have caused and realize that we should never commit such an offense again. We need to see how miserable it feels when man casts us aside so that we can have a feeling of what it would be to be cast aside for eternity by our Lord. So, as you can see, it is not always wishing well upon ourselves, it also contains receiving the same discipline that others receive. If we believe that the Holy Bible is the true infallible word of God and that it is true, then we must believe also that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16,17) So, as we look at this scripture we must also be mature about it as well. We must realize that if we have done right to others, that others will do well to us. If we have done wrong to others we all have to follow the same rule. We must ask forgiveness and be forgiven as we would forgive those who come to us in true repentance for an offense. We must not bear any grudge. Not the ones that we pick and choose, no, ANY grudge against the children of thy people(The Church). As we have learned that vengeance is not ours to take we must not avenge our enemies but allow God to take care of it. So, in reality, whether the word of God shows us to be blessed or punished, we must also not only strive to walk by the same rule that Christ has given us but also hold our Brethren to the same level. If we have ever sought to receive forgiveness and it has never been given to us then we know how it feels. In turn we must have the goodness in our hearts to not do this same thing to our brothers and sisters. Let us do all things according to the word of God and in the Spirit of God. In understanding we will flourish, in worldly ignorance our time of prosperity is temporary and will go away. Let us choose understanding and leave childish ignorance behind. Have a great day!!!