Thursday 26th September
Read Matthew 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.” (NIVUK)
Some of the more astute, four days in, may have noticed that the Golden Rule does not mention our relationship to God. It seems to cover, as the ancients used to say, only the second tablet of the ten commandments. However, having already established that we should ask, seek and knock earnestly for God and seek His righteousness and will, it is assumed that we will find it impossible to follow the Golden Rule without such persistent prayer.
In fact, when Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment in the Law… “Jesus replied: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” (Matthew 22:37-39) (NIVUK)
As is typical of the Sermon on the Mount, it is only when we recognise our complete inability to obey the Golden Rule, in anything, let alone everything, that we will in fact seek God earnestly and thereby be transformed.
