| About Matthew 7:12 |
In Matthew 7:12, Jesus says: "So in everything, do to others what you would have
them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets".
It's a very short and simple statement, but what would the world be like today if people
actually listened to, and lived by, these few simple words?
them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets".
It's a very short and simple statement, but what would the world be like today if people
actually listened to, and lived by, these few simple words?
A shorter version of these words has been referred to as the "Golden Rule" by many. Generally,
it's just considered as a "nice thought", but not to be taken seriously by intelligent adults that know
better. It goes along with "Be nice or you won't get any Christmas presents!" being taught to small
children.
it's just considered as a "nice thought", but not to be taken seriously by intelligent adults that know
better. It goes along with "Be nice or you won't get any Christmas presents!" being taught to small
children.
What does he mean by "the Law and the Prophets"? The first five books of the Jewish Scriptures
(Old Testament) were the Law, as in the Ten Commandments. The Prophets refers to all the Old
Testament books of prophecy. Together they have all the teaching of the Old Testament about
how we should live; teachings about knowing right from wrong.
(Old Testament) were the Law, as in the Ten Commandments. The Prophets refers to all the Old
Testament books of prophecy. Together they have all the teaching of the Old Testament about
how we should live; teachings about knowing right from wrong.
Think about it. What if people actually considered their actions toward others and asked
themselves "Would I like to be treated like this?". Would there be the kind of crime we see
everywhere today? Would we see people being beaten and killed over trivial matters? Would there
be so many people in the world hungry and homeless?
themselves "Would I like to be treated like this?". Would there be the kind of crime we see
everywhere today? Would we see people being beaten and killed over trivial matters? Would there
be so many people in the world hungry and homeless?
Various forms of this same teaching can be found in Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and
Confucianism. The major difference is that Jesus' teaching is positive, as "do this and you will find
life", rather than negative such as "do this or else you will be punished".
Confucianism. The major difference is that Jesus' teaching is positive, as "do this and you will find
life", rather than negative such as "do this or else you will be punished".
There is no real reason for people in America to be hungry or homeless for long. The resources
and means are there. Over a quarter of all the food in America just gets buried in landfills since it's
so plentiful that people think nothing about throwing their surplus away. A significant portion of all
housing in America is vacant. There is no justification for poverty to continue in America. It's just
what happens when people don't do to others as they would have others do to them.
and means are there. Over a quarter of all the food in America just gets buried in landfills since it's
so plentiful that people think nothing about throwing their surplus away. A significant portion of all
housing in America is vacant. There is no justification for poverty to continue in America. It's just
what happens when people don't do to others as they would have others do to them.
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The quotation of Matthew 7:12 is from the New
International Version (NIV) published by Zondervan.
International Version (NIV) published by Zondervan.