What Jesus Did! 'The Golden Life' — Matthew 7:12

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

[Jesus continued:] "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets."
— Matthew 7:12 NLT

Key Thought

The Golden Rule! That's what it's called, but Jesus isn't as concerned that we know the "rule" as much as he is that we live the "golden life." In many ways, this concept of doing for others what we would want done for us summarizes Jesus' teaching to his disciples about how to live for others. It also captures the spirit of the Old Testament law and the teaching of the prophets. In other words, living to bless others is God's will for us in all of our relationships. We are not here to live for ourselves, but to bless others in the name of Jesus. This kind of life is transformational. God can use it in ways we would never anticipate to touch the lives of others.

Today's Prayer

Almighty and enabling God, help me focus less on my needs and my desires. Instead, dear Father, please help me hear the heart cry of those around me and then use me to serve them in your name and do for them what I would want done for me. Through the precious name of the Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

27 Related Resources by Heartlight

Matthew 7:12
Devo: Today's Verse
"In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the prophets."
Matthew 7:12
Devo: Today's Verse
"[Jesus taught his disciples:] "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.""
Matthew 7:12
Devo: Today's Verse
"[Jesus taught his disciples, saying:] "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.""
The golden rule applies here?
Illustration of Matthew 7:12
Inspirational illustration of Matthew 7:12 -- So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
See All 27 Related Resources about Matthew 7:12

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 7:12 NLT — [Jesus continued:] "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Colossians 2:6
"The life of faith is represented as receiving-an act which implies the very opposite of anything like merit. It is simply the acceptance of a gift. As..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'To Caesarea' (Acts 23:31-34)
"So that night, as ordered, the soldiers took Paul as far as Antipatris. They returned to the fortress [in Jerusalem] the next morning, while the..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Submission' (Ep. 5:21-6:9)
"Dear Father, Help all of us who reverence Christ to be submissive to each other, even as he submitted himself to the people about him so that he..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Doubt and Divided Loyalty Hinders Prayer'
"But when you [pray and] ask [God], be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave...."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!