Morning Reading for March 19 Matthew 7:12-14 Suggested further reading: 1 Kings 18:16-24 In all doubtful matters between man and man we have a general principle for our guidance (v. 12). We are not to deal with others as others deal with us. This would be pure heathenism and mere selfishness. Real Christianity deals with others as it would like to be dealt with. This is the golden rule indeed! It does not merely forbid all petty malice and revenge, all cheating and overreaching. It does much more. It settles a hundred difficult points which arise between men, not by laying down endless rules, but by one mighty principle. It gives a balance and measure by which duty is defined. What would we like others to do to us? Let us do it to them. What would we never want others to do to us? Let us not do it to them. A rule for honest use which decides many problems! We are also given a caution about the way of the many in religion. It is not enough to think and do as others, to follow the fashion and swim with the stream. The way that leads to life is narrow and few travel on it. The way that leads to everlasting destruction is broad and full of travellers. These are fearful truths which ought to raise great searchings of heart in the minds of all who hear them. Which of the two roads are we on? We Maywell tremble and be afraid if our religion is that of the multitude. To go and worship and hope like the rest is to pronounce our own condemnation. This is the broad way whose end is destruction. It is not saving religion. We have no reason to be discouraged and downcast if the religion we profess is not popular and few agree with us. We must remember our Lords words (v. 13). Repentance, faith in Christ and holiness of life have never been fashionable. The true flock of Christ has always been small. It must not move us to find that we are reckoned singular, peculiar, bigoted and narrow-minded. This is the `narrow way. Surely it is better to enter into life eternal with the few than to go to destruction with a great company. For meditation: Human religions can easily gain adherents because all that is required is obedience to rules. Christianity requires a change of heart. This is a work of God and far more radical than rule-keeping.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 10:57:37 +0000
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