published: Sunday, April 05, 2009

The Golden Ruler

Recently, we treated a couple from out of town to dinner in our home. When traveling, eating continually in restaurants can become wearisome. A home-cooked meal - no matter how simple - is comforting.

This unexpected treat caused our guests to want to reciprocate. But, we declined saying we had experienced the same treatment from others. We enjoyed it so much; we delighted to do it for them.

It is a good thing to pull out the 'golden ruler' more often.

Sometimes, I think the "Golden Rule" has become more of 'do unto me as I want to be treated' or 'do to you before you do to me.' The only gold in those thoughts are for self-indulgence and self-promotion, which will surely disintegrate like rusty metal.

But, when Jesus said, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you" as seen in Matthew 7:12, NIV, he was giving us a measurement for fulfilling the law of love ... putting others first.

Love is often seen in small acts of self-sacrifice and service. It is promoting and caring for others the way you would hope to be considered.

Jesus modeled this for us in his life on earth - from his humble birth to the example he set in how to live.

When the crowds were throwing their garments and palm branches at his feet, they would have delighted to see him on a prancing white horse. For them, that would have signaled that he was coming to conquer.

But, he came on a lowly donkey - for he had come to serve.

They cried out, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" as seen in Matthew 21:9b, NIV.

"Save now!" they were shouting. But, though Jesus had indeed come to save now, the salvation he offered was of a spiritual nature that would give them eternal life with him - not just temporal salvation from their oppressors.

One day Jesus will return on a prancing white horse with those of us who have received his free gift of salvation following closely behind. But, until that sure day of triumph, we must continue to follow his example.

Jesus measured all of life with the Golden Ruler he asks us to use - to serve if we want to lead; to sacrifice if we want to move ahead; to share in order to know authentic abundance; to love unselfishly if we want to experience true joy.

To measure the dimensions of your soul, use the golden ruler. Selah

Jan Merop of Sebring is a News-Sun correspondent.