Do Right

Do right.

Simple advice.

Difficult to practice.

I remember learning the Golden Rule in kindergarten. That was in my public school kindergarten class by the way. Yes, I’m that old that we were required to memorize scripture in kindergarten. Maybe it wasn’t taught to me as scripture. I do not recall knowing the chapter and verse, or that it was a quote from Jesus, but that doesn’t change the fact.

“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” -Matthew 7:12

I suppose everyone can get on board with this rule in theory. Everyone wants to be treated with dignity and respect. No one would have any problem telling someone else to follow this “rule.” It’s in the following it ourselves that lies the problem.

I love when Jesus sums things up for us like this. He is saying, “If you want to know how to fulfill all the law and the prophets, how to follow all the old testament law, do this.” Oh, how much better the world would be if humans could just do this. If we could just do right. Treat others how we want to be treated.

But, we don’t. We fail here. As we do in other areas. As Jesus knew we would. After all, if we could’ve really fulfilled all the law and the prophets ourselves, then Jesus would have had no need to come. But, I digress.

The fact that we cannot perfectly carry out this command is in no way an excuse for not following it to the best of our ability. So, let us pursue this goal. To treat others how we want to be treated. May we not use this as a weapon to wield against others when they don’t treat us how we would like, but instead may we treat them well in spite of their mistreatment, or even because of it.

Do right and you’ll never go wrong.

Even if you did wrong before.

Do right, now.

Even if you get no recognition.

Even if you continue to get criticism.

Even if lies come against you, and continue.

Do right.

Do right.

Because God knows. He is the judge.

I used to say that should scare folks, and to a point it should I suppose, but the more I learn about God, the more I’m glad he’s the judge and no one else is. Including me. So…

Do right.

No matter what.

When no one else is.

Do right.

Love one another.