Boyce Mouton
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Letters From Grandpa #575

Boyce Mouton · 2 pages · 949 words

  • LETTERS FROM GRANDPA
  • 575

Dearest grandchild,

Today’s letter will be about a famous verse of Scripture known as the “Golden Rule.” “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” This famous verse, of course, should not be removed from its context. The verses before it refer to the Law of Moses, and the next verses are: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” The word “small” in this passage is from the Greek word “stenao” which means “to groan”. The word “narrow” comes from the Greek word “thlibo” which refers to that which “presses or burdens” your spirit. The very idea that you should in “everything” treat others like you want to be treated is a gate so “small” and a way so “narrow” that it presses you and makes you groan.

When Eve gave birth to Cain he was an only child. When his brother Abel was born he had to share his parents affection, as well as everything else. Cain failed this test and killed his brother. This prompted the Apostle John to write: “For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous.” (I John 3:11-12)

The Law of Moses established “rules”, but as you know, it is often easier to keep a rule than it is to establish a “relationship of love.” So Jesus made these contrasts:

  • The Law said “Do not murder,” but Jesus said: “Don’t be angry with your brother”.
  • The Law said “Do not commit adultery,” but Jesus said “Do not even lust.”
  • The Law said “An eye for an eye, and tooth for tooth,” but Jesus said “turn the other cheek.”
  • The Law said “Love your neighbor” but Jesus said “Love your enemies.”
  • Etc.
  • In each comparison, loving others as you love yourself is more “narrow” and “difficult.

Jesus condemned the Pharisees and teachers of the Law because: “They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.” (Matthew 23:4) The Scriptures warn that “Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13)

Loving others as you love yourself is a life style that affects every area of your life! It goes beyond members of your own family and church to virtually everyone. It dictates how much we tip the waitress, how we view the homeless, how we witness to the unsaved, how we obey our parents, how we discipline our children, how we talk about politicians, how we use our horn in traffic, how we welcome a stranger in church, and whether or not we repeat the gossip we just heard.

Jesus said that to love your neighbor as yourself sums up the Law and the Prophets. Paul said it like this: “Love works no ill to his neighbor, there love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Romans 13:10) “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” (Galatians 5:13-14). James agreed: “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at

just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:8-13)

Love also fulfills the prophets: “With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:6-8)

Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:16-18)

So - “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

I love you,

Grandpa Boyce