Paul’s “Golden Rule”
This morning Debbie and I traveled to Cleveland, TN the home of Lee University. It was or first visit to the city since our children graduated from there a little over 10 years ago. It was good to hear about the local economy and to see the development of the University campus. The campus includes the “Helen DeVoss Education Building.” Helen is the mother-in-law to Trump’s pick for the Education Department, Betsy DeVoss.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV
As Paul writes to the believers at Ephesus, he addresses the importance of their conduct towards each other. He admonishes them about the importance of their words. He tells them to “put away lying”, to speak the truth in love and “don’t let any unwholesome talk come out of you mouths” among other actions and attitudes.
“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body….Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen…” (Ephesians 4:25,29 NIV)
Paul addresses issues of anger and other issues that impact solid and mutually beneficial relationships. “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry...Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” (Ephesians 4:26-27,31 NIV)
As he comes to the end the final verse of this chapter is one that summarizes the conduct that is pleasing to Christ and “covers a multitude of sins.” Just as the “golden rule” tells us we are to “treat others was we would want to be treat” Paul’s summary is in a similar spirit.
He says that our relationships are to be guided by, kindness, compassion and forgiveness. These virtues challenge us in our general demeanor and how we view the difficulties of others and how we respond when we are wronged. It is as he is saying, “be kind and compassionate and when someone is not that way toward you forgive them.”
So we don’t treat others as they “deserve” or based on how they treat us, but we go the “extra mile.” We become extenders of grace. What is our motivation? Because that is how Christ has treated us.
We could summarize “Paul’s golden rule” as “treat others the way Christ has treated you.” That goes a step beyond looking at ourselves and what we would desire to looking to Christ and how we have already been treated by Him.
Prayer for today… Lord, thank You for your love, compassion, kindness and grace that we have richly received, even though undeserving. Enable us to reflect those same qualities in our relationships with others, especially those in the “family of God.”