Food for thought

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

We have all heard this many times, but let's take a deeper look at it.  As children we understood it to mean treat others the way you want to be treated and we all know that doesn't mean others will treat us kindly back.  We can either learn to forgive and turn the other cheek or we can harden our hearts and fight back.   To be honest, we have all probably tried both ways but  " The road is long, with many a winding turn..." and "There are many miles to go before we sleep"  for a good reason.  Do what unto others?  2 Corinthians 8:9 says "For you know that the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty you might become rich."  Rich spiritually! When we are truly rich spiritually we will desire poverty so that others may become rich.  What? Desire poverty? You must be mad! And I would be, by the world's standards.  When we disciple others they in turn yearn for us by prayer on our behalf because of the surpassing Grace of God in us.  So by becoming poor so they may gain spiritually we become yet rich , this produces equality.  Jesus became poor. Are we willing to do the same? Do unto others just dove into the deep end and we shall emerge victorious if we are willing to become poor so they may become rich.  Jesus said "love as I have loved.", "Follow after me.", not become rich and retire!  The only retiring we should do is to ourselves, then God will have a vessel He can shine His Son through.  We have the Gospel, we are rich, the question is what are we going to do with it each and every day? "Blessed is the man who lays down his life for his friend, and Jesus said I call you friend."  Are we willing to do unto others as Jesus did unto us?  We are all called for a purpose, to glorify one God with our lives. We all desire to hear "well done", the question is, are we willing to give everything and die to ourselves?  We will indeed desire poverty over riches for then and only then will we know the true meaning of what it feels like to be spiritually rich.  We should never underestimate our ability to give when Jesus is the source of our strength and understanding.  "... for God loves a cheerful giver."  Let us go with joyful hearts as "Onward Christian soldier's marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before..."  This is inverting the paradigm and it will be well with our soul, so let us "do unto others as we would have them do unto us."

Heavenly Father  I thank You for Your amazing Grace, that opens our eyes to see the truth and a light for our path.  Help us to take courage to dive into the deep water of poverty, no turning back, no turning back. Thank you for Your Son who through Your Mercy saved us by Your Grace.  May we live for You in all we do.

In Jesus' name I pray amen.

Love to all in Christ Jesus C:)