Mat 7:12; Christ’s Genius Way of Changing You.

Wednesday October 16, 2024

Main idea: The Golden Rule changes others and you into the mold of Christ.  

Mat 7:12, the Golden rule.

The Greek word order is “Therefore all things that you want people to do to you…” Christ puts your wants at the front of the sentence. We could imagine His thinking as, “Let’s look at what you want others to do to you first, then let’s make sure we do the same to all of them.” 

Everyone likes to be asked what they want. Jesus sets us up. 

What situation of late caused you to respond to someone without love or forgiveness – you did not have this rule in mind?

Think of the effect you will have on people. [click in anger and servant]

The way of the Sermon on the Mount is the way that you would like to be treated.

We are all to be poured into the mold of Christ (conformed to His image).

“You are predestined to be poured into the mold of Jesus Christ.” What a revolutionary change this calls for! Rom 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world.”

It is obvious that we have a choice of molds - Christ or the world.

This is the effect that the Golden Rule has on you. 

All of these men offered their lives for others: Moses (Exo 32:30-35); David (2Sa 24:10-25); Paul (Rom 9:1-3); Jesus (Joh 10:14-18). 

Why did they give their lives for their enemies? They loved them. 

What does the Golden Rule mean? 

I want for others what I want for myself (blessing from God and walking with Him). 

They would sacrifice their time, money, skills, efforts, prayers, help, etc. for you. This is ultimately what any sane person would want. Jesus now tells us that we have to give that to others. 

What does the Golden Rule look like? 

Genuine love of all others. Loss of self-desire and submitting all desires into the hands of the Shepherd. 

How do we feel about the Golden Rule? 

God is changing you through your own involvement in His commands and ways. 

The consequence of not getting involved is to not be changed into His mold. Can you see what it costs you not to love all people in your life? You don’t change. 

Apply the truth immediately:

The next people you talk to, listen to them as you would want them to listen to you. What was the effect on them? On you? 

Which people in your life are hard to love? Consider yourself in their place and then think of how you might treat them. 

Think of Moses, David, Paul, and Jesus and humbly measure yourself against them. Were they crazy, unique, or was their mindset supposed to be the same for every Christian?

Read the Golden Rule (Mat 7:12) in various translations. Write your favorite one on a card or type into your phone and practice memorizing it. It will serve you well.