The Bungee Cord 2-24-25

Hello,

In worship yesterday, we heard “The Golden Rule”. It is a rule that is often quoted. There is even a handyman that has given the rule’s name to his company and has it written on the side of his truck underlined by a yardstick, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The reason that we heard it in worship yesterday is that this rule comes from the Bible, actually from the mouth of Jesus.

Notice that “The Golden Rule”, when given by Jesus, did not say, “Do unto others with kindness so they would be kind to you.” If that was the rule that Jesus gave, it would be better named “The Rusty Pipe Rule”, because it wouldn’t be a rule full of leaks. Life teaches us all, at least it has taught me, that kindness is not always returned. Some people view kindness as weakness and return kindness with increased abuse. Some people view kindness as foolish naivete and mock those who practice it. Some people view kindness as craziness, and they dismiss those who call for it. Kindness fuels an enemy’s bravado. Kindness leads people to hate you and curse you. Kindness has brought people to slap someone on the cheek and say, “Wake up! You fool!” Kindness can even lead people to take advantage of you and take the shirt right off your back. Jesus did not say, “Do unto others with kindness so they would be kind to you.”

No, Jesus said, “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” He never mentions any expectation of similar reciprocation. As a matter of fact, Jesus makes it clear that any such expectation misses his point. Right before saying “The Golden Rule”, Jesus says, “if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again,” and a few verses later, “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.”

So, if Jesus says that there is to be no expectation of kindness in return, why would anyone want to follow “His Golden Rule”? Here’s the answer: fish swim, birds fly, Christians love. Love is in our genes as children of God. Grace, love that comes from no merit to be given and with no strings attached, is the dominant gene in God’s genetic code. How do we know that? Because it was the driving force in Jesus, his Son. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not die, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16,17)

Kindness runs in the family, God’s family. Scripture tells us that God loves us so much that he makes his home in our hearts, and God stakes his eternal claim there. “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are.” (1 John 3:1). Consider how foolish it would be for a family of seven-foot-tall people to walk through doors as if they stood only five foot tall. A lot of bruised foreheads, and one would wonder how long a person would continue to beat their head against the wall before they got it through their head that seven-foot people need to duck to go through a six-and-a-half-foot door. (Read Romans 5,6). When God moves into our lives, God doesn’t just do a renovation of our lives, God does a recreation of our lives. “So, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! (2 Corinthians 5.17). Figuratively, no longer five foot. We are seven feet tall!

Jesus gave us “The Golden Rule”, not so that we might expect others to be kind to us, but rather to give us the power to change the world with God’s love. Jesus puts “The Golden Rule” in our hands to be a saltshaker, spicing up this blandness of people’s lives who are yearning for the taste of purpose and meaning. Jesus puts “The Golden Rule” in our hands to be a spotlight for us to shine into the darkness of people’s pain and suffering. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth….You are the light of the world,”, what an adventure lies ahead as we shake up the world and light up the world with God’s love!

Have a great week.

God’s grace and peace, (ggap)

Pastor Jerry Nuernberger

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