THE GOLDEN RULE

Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Socrates, Confucius, and other philosophers have similar sage advice but usually stated in a negative context something similar to this: "Do not do to others what you would not have done to you." Their philosophy is that of not doing. This negative approach doesn't come up to the "Golden Rule" standard our Savior gives us in His teaching. He teaches us the need for doing for others what you would have others do for you. And what a difference this makes! In this command of doing for others, notice that we are not required to do for others what they wish, but we are to do for them what we would like for them to do for us if our roles were reversed. For instance, in times of sorrow and grief we seek comfort and consolation. Therefore, when someone that is experiencing similar circumstances, we need to apply this "Golden Rule" by demonstrating the same comfort and consolation that we need in such trying times. Thus, we need to apply this teaching of Jesus by doing good to others.

Isn't it amazing how many people can quote the meaning of this teaching by Jesus, and how few that practice it in their conduct of life? Jesus tells us that this commandment is the very core of the law and the prophets. Notice how the Old Testament commandments, that have direct application to New Testament Christians, fulfill God's law for mankind. Paul, in his letter to the Christians at Rome told them, and tells all members of the body of Christ today, that thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law (Rom. 13:9-10).

Selfishness is the greatest hurdle to overcome in carrying out the "Golden Rule" during life on earth. Through the selfish eye, it is not possible to see others as we see ourselves. How does one overcome this sinful attitude; how does one place others at the center of their conduct? Sure we are commanded by God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, to love thy neighbor as thyself, but this is the second of two great commandments. First, Jesus tells us that there is a greater commandment that must be obeyed, namely that thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. ...On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets (See Matt. 22:37-40). Selfishness is conquered when we first love God. Verses 7 through 11 teach us just how much God loves His children. It is that love that we are required to replicate in our association with His other children while here on earth - those that are our spiritual neighbors.

Applying and carrying out the "Golden Rule" demands our love for both God and our neighbor. The apostle John demonstrated in his writings the importance of love. Twenty -two times in his gospel, and thirty-eight times in his epistles, John uses the word "love." All that know Him through the preaching and teaching of His holy word will readily confess that they love God. Yet, for this to be a mutual love between both God and mankind, requires them to also love their fellow man. Consider these passages from John: We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. (1 John 4:19-21)? Also, ...whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:17-18).

In His love for us, God sent His only Son to be the propitiation for our sins. For us to receive God's great love He requires all of His children also to love one another (1 John 4:10-11). By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments (1 John 5:2). In order to accept, believe, and practice the "Golden Rule" Jesus teaches in the lesson text, love, both for God and others is required. Within this godly precept is the sum total of love that God requires of all mankind for one another. It is the common thread that permeates God's commandments from the beginning of time to the present, and will continue to do so until the end of time. It is a precious law - it is Golden!