“Do to others what you would have them do to you”
One day, an innocent little boy was passing by a thick forest. He saw some people trying to create an echo by shouting loudly. Out of curiosity, he shouted, “I hate you,” and the echo repeated the words he had uttered. Surprised and disappointed, he went home and told his mother about how the echo had repeated his harsh words.
His mother gently advised him to try saying something good instead. So, the next day, he went back to the forest and shouted, “I love you.” To his delight, the echo repeated the same kind words. Filled with happiness, the boy returned home and excitedly shared what had happened with his mother.
This short story serves as a beautiful reminder of the Golden Rule, found in Matthew 7:12. It highlights a concise summary of Christian ethical behavior, teaching us that the words and actions we put out into the world often come back to us.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
(Matthew 7:12)
It is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), where Jesus provides profound ethical teachings to His followers.
Charles Spurgeon once commented on this verse by saying: “Oh, that all men acted on it, and there would be no slavery, no war, no swearing, no striking, no lying, no robbing; but all would be justice and love! What a kingdom is this which has such a law!”
The verse begins with “So in everything”. These are the Key Components. This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this command. It applies to all areas of life, without exception. A directive to apply this principle universally, in every situation. “Do to others what you would have them do to you“. This is a proactive command. It asks us not just to refrain from harmful actions but to actively and intentionally pursue good for others. “For this sums up the Law and the Prophets” This indicates that this principle summarizes the moral teachings of the Old Testament. It is not a new law but a summation of God’s ethical instructions throughout Scripture.
In Romans 13:8-10, Paul says all the commandments are summed up in the statement, Vv.9-10) ”…You shall love your neighbours as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbour, love therefore is the fulfilment of the law.” The qualifier in this verse is “agape” love. This is the God kind of love.
Jesus implied that we should treat people the way He treats people. 1 John 4:8 & 16 both say that “God is love.” Jesus expects us to have this “agape love” to all people we come in contact with because He is our source. Agape love flows through the vine of Christ from which every true Christian produces fruit. (John 15:1-16).
In Matthew 7:23 He says, “And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you: DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.” We can now conclude that “lawlessness” boils down to interpersonal relationships without agape love.
We now have an understanding of the basic problem with the people Jesus rejected. They were religious, but they were not filled with agape love. The fruit of the Spirit was not in them. Agape love was missing in their character and conduct. They were not connected to the true vine!
In Matthew 24 Jesus described signs that will accompany the end times. Verse 12 says, “And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.” Again we see that Jesus connects lawlessness to an absence of agape love. We see an alarming trend among many who call themselves Christians today but their love is growing cold. It is a wake up call for all of us to practice what Jesus taught us to do.
IMPLICATIONS
1. This principle applies to everyone, regardless of their status, race, or background. It is a universal standard for ethical behavior.
2. The Golden Rule calls us to actively seek the good of others. It is not enough to avoid harm; we must pursue positive actions that benefit others.
3. By following this command, we reflect God’s love and kindness. God desires us to treat others with the same love and respect that He shows us.
APPLICATIONS
Let us consider other’s needs and desires as you would your own.
Love others so that you may be loved. Forgive others unconditionally, and you will be forgiven unconditionally. Do not repay wrong with wrong when others wrong you, so that you will not be repaid in the same way. Show kindness to others, and kindness will be shown to you. Be compassionate towards others, and you will receive compassion. Show mercy to others, and mercy will be extended to you. Give generously to others without expectation, and it will return to you in abundance. Treat others well, and they will treat you well. Help others if you want help. Be peaceful toward others, and they will be peaceful toward you. Show hospitality to others, and hospitality will be shown to you. Respect others, and you will be respected.
This is the essence of the Golden Rule.
B.K Shivani said, “When ‘I’ is replaced with ‘We’, even illness becomes wellness.”
Shivani’s thought reflects the golden rule of the Bible, teaching that when we shift from self- focus (“I”) to mutual care (“We”), we create a supportive community where we treat others with the compassion and care we desire for ourselves. We must all work to foster towards building up each other by applying the Golden Rule of the Bible.
CONCLUSION
The Golden Rule, is a powerful, blanket principle that guides us to live out our faith in practical, everyday, everywhere and in all situations. It challenges us to move beyond mere avoidance of harm to actively seeking the good of others. The genuineness of our relationship with God shows up in the way we treat people. We are to treat others as we want to be treated by them. By doing so, we reflect God’s love and fulfil the essence of His teachings.
Let us reflect on the Golden Rule in our personal life, homes, churches, workplaces, communities, and society, and actively apply it even in conflict resolution.
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