The Golden Rule
Introduction. (Matt.
7:1-12). This beautiful command has come to be known as the “Golden Rule.”
That is not a biblical name but it does characterize the noble nature of its
objective. It comes after Jesus had just finished a discussion of
hypocritically judging others (7:1-6), and Jesus’ teaching regarding asking,
seeking, finding (7:7-11). In this discussion He had used the illustration of a
son asking of his father bread, or fish (7:9-11). The golden rule flows
within this context.
•
Hypocritical judgment of others would not be following the golden
rule.
•
God’s example of granting us good things when we ask is an
example of following the golden rule.
•
When we do good things to others, that is an example of following
the golden rule.
Let’s consider some things about
what this means to us as Christians.
I. The Golden Rule Is Positive.
It doesn’t say, “whatever others want you to do, do that.” It
doesn’t even say, “If there is something you wish someone would do to
you—regardless of the motive—do that.” It says whatever “you want” done to
you—do that
A. In
this sense it is a very positive command—not simply refraining from some
negative action, but doing what is good to another person
1. It
is based upon the best we have to offer others.
2. Many
sins come from just doing what others want (Prov. 1:10-19).
3. Jesus
words assume that what we would want done to us is not sinful, harmful, or
spiritually destructive to us. He is not saying we act in a sinful way if our
desire is for sin.
B. Jesus
is teaching that we should act based upon how we would want others to act
toward us that is for our good.
II. The Golden Rule is a
Reflection of the Love of God for Man.
A. God
does not deal with us as we deserve. (Psa. 103:8-18).
1. Even
though we were God’s enemies, God acted toward us as we would have wanted Him
to act toward us (Rom. 5:6-10).
B. God
expects his children to be like Him (Matt. 5:44-45).
1. If
so, we must practice the Golden Rule.
III. It is How We are to Love
Our Neighbor.
A. We are to love
our neighbor as ourselves—this is the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 22:36-40).
1. There is no
greater commandment than these (Mark 12:31).
2. It sums up
other commandments (Rom. 13:9).
3. This
fulfills all the law (Gal. 5:14).
4. It is the
“royal law” (Jas. 2:8).
B. The golden
rule carries out this command.
1. It causes
us to think about how our actions toward others in relation to ourselves.
2. It demands
we ask, “Would I want this to be done to me?”—That is loving my neighbor as
myself.
3. It is introspective (cf. Phil. 4:8).
The Golden Rule moves this meditation toward implementation.
IV. It is Proactive not
Reactive.
A. It doesn’t
wait for others to do before you start.
1. We must do
good we know to do (Jas. 4:17). We may sin by omission as well as by committing
something that is wrong.
2. We are to
be doers, not merely hearers of the word (Jas. 1:22-25).
B. It demands
not only considering what we would want, but it demands we appreciate
differences from one another.
1. We are not
all the same—each of us responds differently to certain things.
2. Some want
constant involvement with others—some need private time.
3. Some need
people to share difficulties with them—others don’t want to feel on when going
through a hardship.
4. We are not
practicing the Golden Rule if we impose on others what we want, even if it
takes no consideration for their needs or differences (Phil. 2:3-4).