Matthew 7:12 “So then, whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them, for this is (sums up) the Law and the Prophets.” (Amplified)

I read this verse and thought “How many times have I heard this!” It seems that every other Sunday it is used in church, or in prayer meeting, or in Sunday school. I hear it all the time from all corners of society. I hear it from the little old lady at the cash register at the grocery store, I hear it from my tattoo-ed, foul mouthed co-worker, I hear given as advice everywhere, and yet how often is it followed? What and where and how does this apply?

We are sinful men and women. From our childhood we have always been rotten little brats. While we could not keep a secret as a child, we could most definitely tell fibs and lies to get ourselves out of trouble or to gain some sort of personal advantage. We are self-centered, selfish, self-deceiving, and self-serving individuals. In short we are sinful. We tend to treat others in a manner to further our own gains. We know that the Law and the prophets are there to show us how sinful we are. It is through Christ, however, that we are freed from the penalty of the Law, and therefore we can better keep this verse. While under the rule of sinfulness and of selfish desires, there is no way that we could keep this instruction. But now that we are members of Christ's body, now that we are walking in His measured steps, we can treat others how we would like to be treated.

This is not the whole intent and meaning that can be found here, though. When we see this verse, we should mentally remove the word “others” and replace it with “Christ.” It reads this way then “...whatever you desire that Christ would do to and for you, even so do also to and for Him...” To us as believers and seekers after His heart, this draws us closer and makes much more sense in our hectic lives. We desire mercy and grace from Him. We desire help and healing. We desire comfort and encouragement. We have been given redemption, salvation, and righteousness. What then can we do to return this? How? Where is Christ to treat Him as He has treated us? He is the sick and the invalid that we visit, the homeless we shelter, the naked we clothe, and the blind that we lead. He died for everyone in this world and thus He has shown and treated them the same as He has us. We can do no less for them! For the believers, we are all together part of His body. For the non-believer, we can pray and help them and believe that someday they will understand, hopefully before it is too late. This is what it means to do to others the same as you want them to do to you. We must do to others the same as Christ has done to you and I.

Servant of all, to toil for man
Thou didst not, Lord, refuse;
Thy majesty did not disdain
To be employed for us.

Servant of all, to toil for man
Thou didst not, Lord, refuse;
Thy majesty did not disdain
To be employed for us.