June 30, 2014

Matthew 7:12- So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the
law and the prophets.

This is known as the Golden Rule and is one of the more famous New Testament passages. When I think
of the Golden Rule I usually think of it as “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I, and I
think most people, never include the first part, “So in everything.” There is a way of criticizing a football
player by saying that they will “take a play off.” That means they don’t do their best all the time. Most of
us can follow the Golden Rule some of the time or in some ways all the time, but few of us want to
follow it in everything; not the people who drive us crazy; not the big mouths; not when we are tired or
don’t feel well. However, I think it is the “in everything” that makes it the summation of the Old
Testament (the law and the prophets) because God is constant in his love for us through all the ups and
downs of life. We are prone to “take a play off,” or many plays, but God is faithful in all circumstances.
Where is the “in everything” in your Golden Rule this week?