TWILY Ministries | Love Notes | October
2008
The Basics: Going
Beyond the Golden Rule
Yesterday, one my coworkers stood at my desk while I
was installing a memory card into a device. When I was done, instead of simply tossing the outer wrapping into the
trash can, I took the scissors and started cutting away the razor-sharp edges.
Smiling, my coworker said, "Joyce, just
throw it in the trash! It's just garbage!" Continuing to cut, I replied "I know, but these edges are so sharp. Someone
could get jabbed in the hand, should they have to reach into the trash for some
File Versions Warning: Restoring an old reason."? Continuing to
stand there, shaking his head, he said, "You're good to people." - in the most monotone voice, I've ever heard.
I responded, "Maybe, but surely not for doing this! I just know that I wouldn't
want to reach into the trash for something I'd
tossed by mistake, only to jab my
hand on this thing. Would you?" He said,
"No, but that's way too much, just too much!"
Well, I didn't think
it was "too much." Still,
though, he must have "touched a
nerve ", because later, I found myself thinking about his
comments, "You're good to people"
and "that's way too much".
They brought to mind one of the greatest biblical truths
I have ever learned, not in seminary, but way back in Sunday School 101:
The Golden Rule - in Biblical terms, Do to others as you would have them do to you - Lk 6:31.
Basically, what he, my coworker, had
deemed as "just
too much" was a mere exercise of this Rule.
I had "hurt my own hand", several times, on packing material just like
that I'd been cutting, and each time I did, I thought how nice it would be if manufacturers would come up
with "better packaging".
As for the
possibility of "someone else getting hurt", I
thought about the times when I have had to
reach into the trash to
retrieve items (papers, etc.) that I had "tossed" by
mistake; so then, it wasn't too farfetched that the "cleaning crew",
for instance, may have to do the same. Considering these things, then, I don't
think my actions were "way too much".
Besides, can
we be "too good" to people? Should we stop before
we find ourselves "going beyond the Golden Rule?" Jesus didn't think so. We can see from several passages that He expects us to do just that, that is,
go
beyond doing only what we want "done
for us" (i.e. a mere even
exchange"). He wants us to, well, "stretch ourselves" when it comes to showing love to others - enemies included. Consider, for examples, the
following two passages, which really are dealing with "love for enemies" and "showing mercy", respectively. From any version
of the Bible, these really hit home, especially in this contemporary translation:
27-30?
To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them
bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time,
respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in
the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, gift-wrap your
best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you,
use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live
generously.
31-34 Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior:
Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and
do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back?
Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you
expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you
hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of
pawnbrokers does that. 35-36? I tell you, love your enemies. Help
and give without expecting a return. You'll never-I promise-regret it. Live out
this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and
graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind. - Luke 6:27-36
21At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask,
"Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me?
Seven?" 22 Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly.
Try seventy times seven." - Matthew 18:21-22
As we can see, we're definitely taught to do
more than a mere "even
exchange", huh? Admittedly, though, "stretching"
can be difficult, but as we walk in the Spirit,
it becomes easier! Thank the Lord! You know what else? What "stretches"
one person may not even faze another. The idea of "cutting away sharp edges" certainly had stretched my coworker - in his mind,
but didn't even faze me; yet,
other
things do, and probably the same is true of you! That just shows
that "NONE OF US HAVE ARRIVED"; There is always
room for growth. Do you agree? Before you
answer, please read the
incident below, which a good friend of mine shared with me. Here is what happened:
"Pat" - I'll
call her- is one of the most
"open and
friendly people" I have ever met. That is why I was so surprised when I learned that she'd
been having trouble "breaking the
ice" with one of the neighboring families. Although she had
been very friendly to the people, they had remained somewhat distant; only responding
with a quick wave or smile. That's how it was and that is how it
remained, until one day in particular.
On that day, "Pat" had arrived home from work and upon doing
so, she saw the mother, along with a couple of her young children, sitting in the family car, looking quite
frustrated. Well, "Pat" - in her usual fashion - asked the mother was there
anything wrong,
and yes, there was. See, she had rushed out of the house to
pick up her children from school, only to discover that her car would not
start. Obviously, she was frantic, because school was almost out and
there was no time to make
alternative arrangements. Learning of her situation, "Pat"
tried to give her a boost, but it didn't work. The mother, worried and pacing, asked "What am I going
to do?"- not really expecting an answer - I suppose. She definitely wasn't expecting what happened next. What happened? Well, "Pat" said, "Here. Just take
my car and go and pick up your
children."
Yep! She handed the woman the keys
to her car - incidentally, "new car". Would you have
done that? Honestly, I don't know if I would have done that; not sure if I have "grown that much". I KNOW I would have had
to see a driver's license
AND check my Insurance plan at a minimum! Offering a "ride" is one thing, but "the
keys?" See, what I mean? - room
for growth! (smile)
You know what I like
about "Pat" in this case? She didn't run to the telephone to tell everyone what she had done
- not
even me. In fact, I didn't find
out about it until way afterwards, and even then it was because we were talking
about how the Lord can melt "frozen hearts" through the kindness of others; or something of that nature. Thankfully, that was the result, too,
in her neighbor's case. Though the family has since moved away, the woman,
from then on, was very nice to "Pat". More importantly, though, I know the seeds of kindness that
were planted on that day, were not planted in vain. Now - to me - that is an
example of someone going beyond the Golden Rule. We can NEVER go as far as our Savior did,
though, can we? (Aren't you glad He
did that for us? I sure am.)
In closing, friends, "cutting away sharp edges", "handing over car keys to a neighbor", or even "bringing someone an unexpected cup of
coffee" - thought I'd sneak that in here, since one of my
dear sisters in the Lord does that so often for people - are just a few examples
of ways we can live out the Golden Rule daily!
For some of us - even these may take some "stretchin g". The beautiful thing
is that we don't have to wait until we have become perfect at it, we can just start where we are. A portion of Scripture from
above, makes this even plainer, which reads:
12 Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for
behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the
initiative and do it for them. Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what
you will get. - Matthew 7:12
See? We can
all participate in this area of ministry "right now!" - no
additional rings to jump through, and friends, as we can see from the passage below, it is well worth the effort!
37? Then the righteous will answer
him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you
something to drink? 38 When did we see you a
stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to
visit you?
40 The King will reply, I tell you the truth,
whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for
me. - Matthew 25:37-40
While this passage is
wonderful encouragement for us to help other
believers, we know, too, that we are to do "good to all mankind!
(Gal. 6:10)?
With these things in mind, then, let us all keep doing
unto others as we would have them do unto us - always
"stretchin
g" or going beyond the Golden Rule.
God willing, see you next month.
Until then, stay encouraged.
Love in Christ,
Sis. Joyce
2008 Joyce Bailey