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It’s easy to be kind when others are kind to us. But what about when others are unkind? Reacting as they do lets others control your behavior. Trusting God’s love empowers you to love others first.
Consider Matthew 7:12, what people call “the golden rule”:
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Matthew 7:12, The Living Bible
Think of a time you treated someone kindly, even when they weren’t kind to you. Was it difficult? Probably. But Jesus never gives us easy tasks. Instead, He equips us to accomplish those tasks through the Holy Spirit. John wrote in his first letter, “We love because He first loved us.” Open your heart to God’s Word. You can obey Him by the power of the Holy Spirit. That means treating others with kindness, just as you desire to be treated.
Imagine yourself listening to Jesus teach. Perhaps you’re a wronged taxpayer, a disobeyed parent, or a mistreated child. Feel the struggle of keeping this commandment. Tell Jesus how difficult it is to follow this “golden rule,” to be kind to those who haven’t been kind to you.
It’s possible to be kind to someone who has been unkind, even if you never encounter them again. Forgive them in your heart. Say their name and “I forgive you.” Thank God for your own forgiveness and the power to forgive others.
If forgiveness is difficult, ask Jesus to forgive them first, just as He did on the Cross. Thank God for His complete love, forgiveness, and acceptance. Ask Him to teach you to draw on His power to love others the way you desire to be loved.
Father, thank you for loving us completely and giving us the power to love others well. Thank you for forgiving our sins. Thank you for accepting us unconditionally. Teach us to draw on your power so we can love others the way we want to be loved. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Now listen to the 2-minute version of this Abide meditation, “The Golden Rule,” based on Matthew 7:12. Let God speak to you about treating others they way you want to be treated. To hear the full-length version, download the Abide app and start a premium subscription. The longer meditation goes more in depth on the topic and allows you more time to connect with God in this verse. Use this link for 25% off.
