Treat them the way you would want to be treated

Treat them according to how harshly they have acted

Treat them kindly only when it is convenient

Letting your own expectation of treatment guide your action

Doing to others what you would want done to you

A promise that others will always respond kindly

This teaching fitting within God's larger instruction

Respond with the kind of care and fairness you would hope to receive

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I confess that I have not treated others the way I want to be treated. I admit my sin and my need for your mercy. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my selfish ways and open my life to you. Be my Lord and my Savior, and teach me to live your way from this day on. Amen.

Receive Jesus and Learn His Way

Lord, revive your Church with this simple but searching way of love. Where we have become selective, defensive, or quick to excuse ourselves, give us hearts that want for others what we want for ourselves. Make your people fair, tender, truthful, and generous in ordinary relationships, so the world can see your kingdom at work through us, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive Your People in Everyday Love

Lord, show me where I ask from others what I refuse to give. Soften my self-protective habits, forgive my selfishness, and train me to act with the same care I desire from them, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Search My Exceptions

Thank God for the people who have treated you with patience, fairness, or kindness. Give thanks for any moment when his grace has helped you respond better than you otherwise would have.

Give Thanks for the Grace You Have Received

Pray for someone you find hard to deal with: that God would bless them, heal what is broken between you, and give you a fair and gracious response instead of coldness or payback.

Pray for a Hard Relationship

Pray by naming one person and one specific situation. Ask God to show you what you would hope for if the roles were reversed, then ask for the courage to do that same good toward them today.

One Step of Reciprocal Wisdom

Πάντα{PAN-ta###PAHN-tah###All things} οὖν{OON###OON###therefore} ὅσα{HO-sa###HOH-sah###whatever} ⸀ἐὰν{e-AN###eh-AHN###if} θέλητε{THE-lee-te###THEH-lee-teh###you desire} ἵνα{HEE-na###HEE-nah###that} ποιῶσιν{pee-O-sin###pee-OH-seen###(they) do} ὑμῖν{hee-MEEN###hee-MEEN###to you} οἱ{ee###ee###the} ἄνθρωποι,{AN-thro-pee###AHN-throh-pee###people} οὕτως{OO-tos###OO-tohs###so} καὶ{KE###KEH###also} ὑμεῖς{hee-MEES###hee-MEES###you} ποιεῖτε{pee-EE-te###pee-EE-teh###do} αὐτοῖς·{af-TEES###ahf-TEES###to them} οὗτος{OO-tos###OO-tohs###this} γάρ{GAR###GAHR###for} ἐστιν{es-TEEN###ehs-TEEN###(it) is} ὁ{ho###hoh###the} νόμος{NO-mos###NOH-mohs###law} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} οἱ{ee###ee###the} προφῆται.{pro-FEE-te###pro-FEE-teh###prophets}

Matthew 7:12 — DynamicTAB

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