as my learned friend chu xuan always begins off by saying, students of love, it has truly been an amazing 36 days of learning. Honestly though, i would probably have to read the book again for there has been so much practical tips that i find myself forgetting or finding it hard to apply each principle as a new one comes out. Not to take anything away from it though as it seems each principle builds upon the previous one. What im saying is, we should really take a stock take of where we are at now after 36 days, are we seeing any change?

I heard a wise man say, an unchanged life is a sign of an unregenerate heart. Friends, though God looks at the inward, our outward, or our actions are a good indication of a change in the inside. I do hope all of us are striving to live at the next level from day to day.

anyways, on to today's message. I would say that its something we all know. Do unto others what you want them to do for you. sounds kinda self seeking at times hey? i admit i was like ok, so i should do things for people so they do things nice for me? But clearly thats not what this verse is saying. I missed the focus when i thought like that.

See this "golden rule" is nothing like the reciprocal rule. Its not a i do something for you so you do something nice for me. Its not the hidden motive rule either. " i do something for you, but its really so that i can get something in return." that all puts the focus on myself.

i think the book explains it really well. We think about what we want others to do for us. We think of how we like to be treated. Cause i mean, we all love ourselves right so we would set that standard pretty high. But then, we do something really whack but awesomely cool. We take that standard we set, and we do it for someone else. The verse does not say, do for others what you want them to do for you so that they will do it for you. It simply tells us to think of the standard of what we want others to do for us, then we do it for that someone who needs it.

I would say that this is no simple task. This requires the most selfless heart ever. Yes we must make that step to be pro-active and start doing this. But for it to be truly effective, we have to depend on Jesus for that grace to be selfless. For Jesus to help us be that sensitive. Friends,faith in his death gave us eternal life, that is a life in heaven. But Faith in his resurrection gives us abundant life, one that starts on Earth with a Godly purpose. Lets rejoice in His Life, and start living an abundant life, faithfully being obedient and loving, starting by meeting others needs in the standard that we want our own needs to be met.

love,

Jems

PS: All the best to all the students of UNI out there :)