Do to Other
Matthew 7:12: “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Just about everyone knows this Scripture in some form that is known as the “Golden Rule.”
When I was a very young person, I had a discussion with my mother regarding this. Some girls had mistreated me in some way (don’t even remember how), and I was plotting how I could get even with them. My other explained that I needed to treat them how I would want to be treated, but I didn’t agree with her interpretation. My reasoning was that they had been unkind to me, so that’s how they wanted to be treated, and I was within my rights to be unkind back to them. It just didn’t seem right that they could get by with what they had done without some retribution.
Then I learned this Scripture: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” By doing something nice for them, it would be like putting coals of fire on their heads. I wasn’t so interested in the “doing something nice” part, but the burning coals sure sounded good!!
Of course, my motives were all wrong, and I don’t remember how it all resolved, but I do remember arguing with my mother that according to Scripture, I had a right to get even.
It seems to me that this is where our society is today; trying to right a wrong according to our own reasoning. God’s way is never our way, and is so contrary to our sinful human nature. Zech. 7:1-14
Is an account of Zechariah seeking the Lord for the condition of his country and the word he received from God was “Administer true justice, show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.” But the people did not listen and this is what the Lord said. “I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations where they were strangers. The land was left so desolate behind them that no one could come or go. This is now they made the pleasant land desolate.” (Notice that God said “they made the pleasant land desolate.)
God’s solution to what is wrong in our society today is not man’s way of righting wrongs. 1 John 4:20 Whoever loves God must also love his brother. Matt. 7:1-5 Do not judge others. Eph. 2:10. We are all God’s masterpiece created to do good works. Phil. 2:3: Consider others better than yourself. All these attitudes are contrary to our human nature but let’s try doing things God’s way, and by doing so heap burning coals of fire upon those with opposing views, and upon those who would consider Christians their enemy, not with the idea of “getting even” but with the aim and goal of reconciling people to God. Let’s be the light that God has called us to be in the midst of the darkness that has descended upon our country.
Naomi Brinkman
Scriptures from the message brought by Anthony Porter at Canvas Church 6/28/2020
