Matthew 7:12 (ESV)
¹² “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

The golden rule is easy to read and understand, but hard to follow. So far as relationships with our fellowman is concerned, this is the most significant rule that has ever been set forth. If society as a whole lived by the golden rule, we would truly be living in a golden age. What are some practical lessons we learn from it? There are too many for us to consider in this short blog, but let us consider the two primary ones.

The Golden Rule Teaches Us to Think About Others.

The problem with our society today is that there is too much self-centeredness in it. The mentality that says me, me, me, seems to prevail everywhere. The golden rule rises above self and teaches us to think about those around us. What Jesus so plainly teaches us by the golden rule is validated by a plurality of other passages that teach us to be mindful of others. For example, Paul reminds us of the significance of others when he wrote, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). The Christian’s eyes are to be turned away from self and focused on the needs of others.

The Golden Rule Teaches Us to Do Good for Others.

The golden rule not only teaches us to think about others, it teaches us to do for others. Notice the positive nature of this rule set forth by Jesus. Most people interpret the words of Jesus here from a negative standpoint. They basically have Jesus saying, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should NOT do to you, do NOT ye even so to them…” Now, that is a good rule. It has been called by some the silver rule because it is of some value. If everyone in the world would refrain from doing to anyone else that which he or she does not want done to them, this world would be a better place. However, from the standpoint of doing good, the so-called silver rule is quite useless.

William Barclay rightfully pointed out that “it is not an essentially religious rule at all. It is simply a common-sense statement…the negative form of the rule involves nothing more than not doing certain things…It is the kind of principle that could well be kept by a man who has no belief and no interest in religion at all… A man could satisfy the negative form of the rule by simple inaction; if he consistently did nothing he would never break it.”

The golden rule is more than just refraining from doing bad, it involves the doing of good by loving our neighbor. Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:12 that this golden rule is a synopsis of the law and the prophets. Interesting enough, He says the same thing in regard to loving our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). Loving our neighbor and helping our neighbor goes hand in hand. In fact, one who is unwilling to help a neighbor, does not love that neighbor because love always acts in the best interest of others. The key word is acts. Love does not just think, feel or desire; it always acts.

Let us be doers of the golden rule. The world will be a better place, and so will the kingdom of God.

As you wind down for the night, think on these things.