Let me first of all extend to you my best wishes for a 2020 Happy Easter which represents for believers the commemoration of the resurrection by the Lord Almighty God, of Our Savior Jesus Christ and the victory over death and on evil. To Him be all the glory, now and forever.
Beloved, I am glad to share with you today on the next window of said temple, namely the Golden Rule. It involves asking others to do what you do for them. The Lord Jesus said it in Matt 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.”
Indeed, to imitate the goodness of God towards men is to recall the law and the prophets, this law which the Savior has long interpreted in all his spirituality. For it is accomplished in this duty of doing to others, out of love, all the good that we would like them to do to us.
Above all, we must note that the great commandment of love for neighbor has its source in love for God, and that this, in turn, is inspired in the heart of man only by love of Jesus Christ. He invites us to do good, not in response to the good that is done to us, but by taking the initiative. Indeed, God Himself thus loves, because the Lord Jesus gives by this message the true meaning of the Law which remains consistent with all the thinking of the whole of the Old Testament. The verses compiled below will edify you on our important subject.
- Special teachings relating to brotherly love
-it must be impartial: Deut 10.19 “ And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.”
-it must be altruistic: Matt 22.39 “ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
-it represents the proof of the true disciple: John 13.35 “ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
-the love of Christ is the model of brotherly love: John 15.12 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
-fraternal love is sincere: Rom 12.9 “ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
-it is abundant: 1 Thes 3.12 “ May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.”
-He is fervent: 1 Peter 1.22 “ Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.”
- Special orders concerning the practice of good (do good):
-Psa 34.14 “ Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”;
-Psa 37.3 “ Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.”
-Luc 6.35 “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”
-Rom 13.3 “ For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.”;
-Gal 6.10 “ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”;
-1 Tim 6.18 “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”;
-Heb 13.16 “And do not forget beneficence and liberality, because it is at such sacrifices that God takes pleasure.”
-James 4.17 “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
-1 Peter 2.15 “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.”;
-1 Peter 3.11,17 “ They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.; 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
- The golden rule:
-Matt 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.”;
-Luc 6.31 “ Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
- Biblical definition of true religion :
-Deut 10.12 “ And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,”;
-Ecc 12.13 “ Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”;
-Hosea 6.6 “For I love godliness, not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”
-Mic 6.8 “ He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”;
-Marc 12.33 “To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”;
-James 1.27 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this : to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
- Duties towards others (social duties) :
-Marc 12.31 “ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.”;
-Rom 13.10 “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”;
-Rom 15.1-2 “ We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.”
-James 2.8 ” If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.”
From the above, we note that the law is fulfilled in this duty to do to others by love, all the good that we would like them to do to us. We should also note that this great commandment of love for neighbor has its source in love for God, which in turn is inspired in the heart of human by love of Jesus Christ. He therefore invites us to do good, not in response to the good that is done to us, but by taking the initiative. This is how the Lord God himself loves his creatures that we are. We support you all with our prayers in your efforts to achieve this.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows :
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be glad to respond to your queries and comments as necessary, before sharing with you next week on the next window of the temple of truth, namely the narrow path.
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.
David Feze, Servant of the Lord Almighty.