Good morning. It’s Sunday, January 23rd, aka National Pie Day.

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— Matthew 7:12

Have you ever heard of the saying, treat others the way you want to be treated?

Of course you have. It’s what we call the Golden Rule.

And it actually shows up in the Bible. Jesus says it Himself here in 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.”

It’s not a word-for-word copy of the Golden Rule, but it means the same thing. Treat others the way you want to be treated.

But that’s not all it says. There’s a second part of this verse that’s also important, “…this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

So what does this second part mean?

When Jesus says this “sums up the Law and the Prophets,” He’s saying that everything God had already taught comes down to this one idea. All the commands, all the instructions, all the teachings were pointing here.

In other words, Jesus is saying this is the Golden Rule. Crazy, right?

Now let’s look at the verses before and after this to add some context.

Matthew 7:11 says, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Before Jesus tells us how to treat others, He reminds us what God is like. God is generous, and that’s where the Golden Rule comes from.

Matthew 7:13 says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”

Jesus is saying the easier option is to look out for yourself. The harder option is to treat others well, and that’s the road He’s pointing us to.

The Golden Rule isn’t stated just once in the Bible. Jesus repeats this same idea in different ways throughout Scripture. He says it plainly when He says, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31), flips it around in Matthew 7:1 when He talks about judging others, and Paul echoes it in Romans 12:17 when he tells believers not to repay evil for evil.

In the end, the Golden Rule really is golden for a reason. Just put yourself in other people’s shoes and ask yourself, how would I want to be treated if this were me?

When you’re not sure how to pray, A.C.T.S. gives you a simple path to follow: Adore, Confess, Thank, and Ask.

Adoration: Father, You are good and loving.

Confession: Forgive me when I don’t treat others the way I’d want to be treated.

Thanksgiving: Thank You for Your grace and patience with me.

Supplication: Help me live out the Golden Rule today, with love and humility. Amen.

In Jesus name, Amen

“Can’t Tell It All” (Remix) by KB, Hulvey, & Lecrae

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See you tomorrow,

Zach | Start With God