Therefore Love One Another 

Matthew 7:12

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. NKJV

Matthew 7:7-12 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!  Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. NKJV

In looking at the entire passage - Jesus is telling them to keep asking and it shall be given; keep seeking and they shall find and keep knocking and the door shall be opened to them.  Jesus is referring to man’s continual pursuit of God and they shall receive.  He then proceeds to tell them if evil men give good gifts to their children how much more will your heavenly Father give to those that ask?  And then he closes this particular thought by saying, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

At first glance this verse looks completely separate from the rest of the passage but because the word therefore is included, Jesus is making it part of this particular reference for a reason so let’s look at this passage as a whole shall we?

Whenever the word, “Therefore” is present in a passage you want to look at the above passage to see what the word therefore is THERE FOR.  It is an old world term that is still used today to describe the purpose of what was just mentioned. 

Jesus is making a special point here that is simple but deep at the same time.  He starts out by telling them how God is faithful and good to those who ask, seek and knock and then turns their attention towards how they themselves are to treat others in the same way they want to be treated.  In other words, when we ask God to hear our prayers or for forgiveness, seek to find Him and when we knock and the door is opened to us – in the same way that we look to God for these things we are to be willing to do the same for one another.   

Ezekiel 18:7-9 “If he has not oppressed anyone, But has restored to the debtor his pledge; Has robbed no one by violence, But has given his bread to the hungry And covered the naked with clothing; If he has not exacted usury Nor taken any increase, But has withdrawn his hand from iniquity And executed true judgment between man and man; If he has walked in My statutes And kept My judgments faithfully — He is just; He shall surely live!" Says the Lord God.  NKJV   

Think for a moment of the things you personally look to God for: His mercies, provisions, faithfulness, prayers, compassion, comfort, encouragement, help in time of need, forgiveness and grace for our sins, love, joy, peace, patience - the list can go on and on and on…God calls us to be willing to do the same for others in love because that is how we truly want to be treated.  The bible also says according to Matthew chapter 6, our Heavenly Father knows everything we need and will provide for our needs as we seek Him first.  

Galatians 5:13-15 “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."NKJV

Filoiann Wiedenhoff