Golden
So we all survived Black Friday. Some did not. It always amazes and saddens me when it's all over and the reports start coming in that someone somewhere was trampled in a mad rush toward some so-called spectacular deal. What is wrong with in a culture where someone can go out shopping and never return due to the "madness" of others? Much, I fear.
Somewhere along the way, this time of year when we're supposed to focus on "peace on earth, good will toward all" has morphed into "getting the best deal, no matter what." Where did we get off course?
It got me to thinking again about a verse in Matthew, what we typically call "The Golden Rule" (though Jesus and no Biblical writer actually call it that): "In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12). In other words, Jesus says, if you want to sum up the whole Old Testament in one sentence, it would be this one. Everything God was trying to teach the people back then comes down to this: treat each other the way you want to be treated.
It's a pretty simple concept, really. Consider what you are going to do, what you are going to post, what you are setting out to tweet. Is that something you would want said about or done to you? If not, then Jesus' guideline would suggest—maybe even command—we shouldn't do it. When we set out to interact in any way with anyone (Jesus doesn't allow any exceptions here), consider whether or not it's the way you would want to be treated. If you would want to be treated that way, then go ahead (and expect to be treated that way). If not, Jesus says...then maybe it's not what God would have us do.
It's worth considering, especially in a time when we desperately need to re-hear the angels' song: "Glory to God—peace on earth, good will toward all." When we live at peace, when we do to others what we would have done to us, then we are giving glory to God. A life of worship and faith is evidenced in the way we live out this most golden of rules. And Advent is, perhaps, the time we need it the most.
Somewhere along the way, this time of year when we're supposed to focus on "peace on earth, good will toward all" has morphed into "getting the best deal, no matter what." Where did we get off course?
It got me to thinking again about a verse in Matthew, what we typically call "The Golden Rule" (though Jesus and no Biblical writer actually call it that): "In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12). In other words, Jesus says, if you want to sum up the whole Old Testament in one sentence, it would be this one. Everything God was trying to teach the people back then comes down to this: treat each other the way you want to be treated.
It's a pretty simple concept, really. Consider what you are going to do, what you are going to post, what you are setting out to tweet. Is that something you would want said about or done to you? If not, then Jesus' guideline would suggest—maybe even command—we shouldn't do it. When we set out to interact in any way with anyone (Jesus doesn't allow any exceptions here), consider whether or not it's the way you would want to be treated. If you would want to be treated that way, then go ahead (and expect to be treated that way). If not, Jesus says...then maybe it's not what God would have us do.
It's worth considering, especially in a time when we desperately need to re-hear the angels' song: "Glory to God—peace on earth, good will toward all." When we live at peace, when we do to others what we would have done to us, then we are giving glory to God. A life of worship and faith is evidenced in the way we live out this most golden of rules. And Advent is, perhaps, the time we need it the most.
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