The "Golden Rule"

Continuing our study of the teachings and commands of Jesus, we come to Matthew 7:12. This is known throughout history as the "Golden Rule." Treat people how you would want to be treated. So let's look at this.

Matthew 7:12 NIV

[12] So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

This coincides with the two greatest commands that Jesus said sums up the Bible:

Matthew 22:35-40 NIV

[35] One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: [36] “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” [37] Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

"Love your neighbor as yourself," is the point of this command. Love and treat people how you would want to be treated. This is so great because this command goes all the way back to the people of Israel when they were freed from the bonds of Egypt. Once in the wilderness, God gave various commands for their good and this was one of them.

Leviticus 19:18 NIV

[18] “ ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

So, He always wanted us to love people and treat them how we would want to be treated, which still holds true today.

Paul took it a step further in Romans. I think this verse shows us how to love people and how to treat all people. (I am surprised that this verse is hardly ever referred to.)

Romans 13:8-10 NIV

[8] Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. [9] The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

[10] Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Verse 10 is the key thought here. Love never does any harm to it's fellowman. 

If we never do any harm to our fellowman, then we are loving them. 

So, profound. That sums up the Bible. Love God and love people by never doing any harm to them. THAT is treating them as you would want to be treated.

That sums up how to love and treat people:

[10] Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Let this epitomize our lives. This is "letting our light shine before men."

Never do harm to anyone in word or actions. That is loving them.

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

PS- Other related passages:

1 John 4:20-21 NIV

[20] Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. [21] And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

1 John 4:19 NIV

[19] We love because he first loved us. 

Luke 10:27 NIV

[27] He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Matthew 5:43-45 NIV

[43]  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 

Romans 12:17-19 NIV

[17] Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. [18] If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. [19] Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

Leviticus 19:34 NIV

[34] The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.

Galatians 5:14 NIV

[14] For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”