All things, therefore, as much as you will that men be doing to you, so also do to them, indeed, this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12.
Today your LORD (יהוה) God says:
Many of you have co-workers, neighbors, friends, enemies, and/or family members, that you are wondering how you should treat them when you are resenting something they did or you think they may be doing but are not quite sure. Do you draw up their nasty behavior before their eyes? Do you accuse them of things you think are true from all indications but you are not sure? Should you be harsh with them? My answer is simple, and I told you it already if you read your Bible, and besides that, it has become a rather well-known saying, “treat others the way you want them to treat you.” Matthew 7:12. It has even been dubbed, “the Golden Rule.” Do unto others as you would have them do to you. This is the approach I want you to take and I will take care of the rest.
Now you will note, if you read the whole verse, I tell you to do this in ALL things. That means with everyone and everything they do or do not do. And I tell you to do as much as you would want them to do. Not just a partial forgiveness, not just a token of the help you need, but as much as you would want someone to do for you. This will lead you to understand why I say if someone takes your cloak, let him have your shirt as well, and if someone presses you into service for one mile, go with him two miles, and that the greatest one among you is the one who serves the rest. Wouldn’t you want someone to go the extra mile with you when you need help? Wouldn’t you like someone to give not only their cloak but also their shirt if you needed clothing? Would you want people to withhold from you if they had it to give? “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,” when you have it with you. Proverbs 3:27-28.
Now, what about the situation where another is headed in a sinful direction? Well, if that were you what would you want the person to do for you? You would want correction and direction so that you did not end in a ditch or lose your destiny. You would wish later when you were in dire straights that someone had come to warn you and give you the direction you needed. Kind of like the rich man that went to hell and wanted Me to send Lazarus to warn his brothers so they did not end up there. But I tell you in another scripture that if you see a fellow believer sinning you first should pray about it to Me so I will give them life. 1 John 5:16. And that is what you should always do before reproving another. Pray and make sure you are doing it out of love and compassion and not out of revenge, pride, or bitterness. And don’t be hiding behind it as a way to get rid of them or quit your job. As Paul counseled those who became Christians hearing him preach but their spouses refused, “if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?” 1 Corinthians 7:12-16. Your primary objection should be to save souls and reconcile people to Me so that they are saved and come to know the truth. This is My heart’s desire—that all men be saved and come to know the truth. You will need to be willing to witness to your fellow man, but a grumbling, complaining, bitter, and revengeful witness is not working for My Kingdom. In fact, you are driving men away from My Kingdom, for it is My goodness that leads to repentance.
I did tell My prophet Ezekiel, if he saw a man sinning and did not warn him, that I would hold Ezekiel accountable for the man’s sin, but if he warned him, Ezekiel was free even if the sinner did not receive it. But if he is wise, he will receive it. That also is part of doing to others what you would have them do to you. If someone gives you valid and well-meaning correction, don’t take offense and go tell everyone how awful that person is, especially if it is your boss at work. Remember if you were the one giving the correction that you thought necessary, you would want the other to receive it well. So if you are following the Golden Rule, instead of immediately rejecting it in your pride, receive it and ponder if it is true. Ask Me. Humility goes before honor and riches.
But be wise in this. He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, and he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, reprove a wise man and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you alone will bear it. Proverbs 9:7-12.
Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:5-6. Let no rude, filthy, ugly, unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as I in Christ also have forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:29-32. Treat others with compassion. That is what the good Samaritan did and I called that being a neighbor to one who is hurting and in need.
Think of your children, siblings, co-workers, spouse, friends, ministry members, fellow church members, and enemies as the flock I have entrusted to your care. Therefore, shepherd the flock I have entrusted to you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to My will; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; not as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:1-4. Jesus is the Chief Shepherd, lean on Him when you go after the lost sheep and correct those heading in the wrong direction or who are fighting among themselves, and don’t beat the sheep, feed the sheep. I told Peter to feed My lambs and My sheep and to tend them if he loved Me. And he did. You are still feeling the effects of his letters that exhort, correct, edify, and encourage you in your walk with Me. He came to a place of perfect love. Did he warn and correct you? Yes, and so did My apostle Paul, just read his first letter to the Corinthians, but he did it all in love. Love of Me and love of his fellow man.
And that should be your response. Don’t judge others so harshly, do to them as you would have them do to you if you were in their shoes. I know you understand. And if you don’t understand and want to beat the sheep, let the good Shepherd show you how to take care of the flock, just like He loves, cares, feeds, and protects you with one intention: your salvation. And He will correct you, but He will never condemn you. And in seeing Him, you see Me. I am present as your helper and sometimes that means I have to discipline you to get you off the garbage dump into healthy green pastures. You know what I am talking about if you have walked with Me for any length of time. The wise man loves correction and direction because that makes for perfect protection in very perilous times.
And always be very careful to first study your behavior in the matter before you start after the other. It could be your fault. Remember what I told you about this, “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5. Selah.
I love you and those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. Come now, and let us reason together, though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. If you are willing and obey, you will eat the best of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword. To the one who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:19-22; Isaiah 1:18-20.