The Measure of Our Growth in Grace

February 3, 2016

The Measure of Our Growth in Grace

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.”

Matthew 7:12

There is a wonderfully positive symmetry to the Golden Rule. Jesus didn’t instruct us to refrain from treating others in a manner we don’t want to be treated. He teaches us to be positive and proactive in reaching out to others in the way we would like others to reach out to us. I love that the Golden Rule is affirmative in nature: disciples of Jesus take the first step. If we want others to pray for us, we first pray for others. If we want to be noticed in life-affirming ways, we first notice others in life-affirming ways. As we are aware of our own needs, we then know how we can reach out to meet the needs of others. The Golden Rule is our way to implement Saint Paul’s teaching to “look not to (our) own interests, but to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4 NRSV).

In our little part of paradise, we recently encountered a record-breaking snow storm and we were snowed-in for several days. In our neighborhood, there were several examples of neighbors helping neighbors dig out from the snow. Such displays of loving your neighbors as you love your self are heart-warming. However, Jesus is waiting for us to embrace and live out his teachings every day, not just in a time of crisis or great need.  Can you see? Our response to Jesus’ Golden Rule, and to the teaching of Saint Paul, is also our measurement stick: “The measure of our growth in grace is our attitude towards other people.” (Oswald Chambers)

I found there is one, and only one, way to authentically make the Golden Rule be my way of life:

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.”

Ephesians 6:18

  

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com. The BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription.

Publications by Alex M. Knight:

·        Seeking the Life in Christ, Meditations on the New Testament and Psalms has been published and is now available at Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle.

·        The second edition of First Think – Then Pray is available on Amazon Kindle.

·        Meditations on The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ has been released as an e-book on Amazon Kindle.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.