Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12 NAS)
We like options. They give us the freedom to choose based upon our personal preferences. In a restaurant, I might choose to have the French fries option with my cheeseburger while you choose the baked potato. I might choose a white SUV with cloth upholstery while you choose a red SUV and leather. And when attendance is optional for an event, you might choose to go while I choose to stay home.
Even within our Christian faith, we have many options. You may choose a traditional worship service while I choose contemporary. You may choose the NIV or KJV Bible translation while I choose the ESV. We have denominational options, liturgy options, favorite author and podcast options, and the list goes on.
There are, however, matters of Christian faith that are not optional. Foremost among these is the command of our Lord we call the Golden Rule. (Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31)
When I was a child, the Golden Rule was a constant point of emphasis. I memorized it this way: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Even then, it was a scripture verse I could easily understand. I want people to be nice to me, so I should be nice to them.
Now, after sixty-five more years of life and over thirty years of full-time ministry, this simple verse from my childhood has proved itself to be the fundamental requirement for Christian living on earth. Please let me explain.
Jesus tells us that the Golden Rule “is the Law and the Prophets.” The only other time Jesus makes such a statement is when He explains that all the Law and the Prophets are based upon the Great Commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” and “love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:36-40) The Golden Rule and the Great Commandment are, therefore, intimately connected to each other.
Although we often think of worship when we speak of loving God, the Lord says the people who “have and obey” His commandments are the ones who love Him. (John 14:21-23) What is the most important command we must obey? Loving others! (John 13:34-35) This fulfills all the law and covers a multitude of sins. (Galatians 5:14; James 2:8; 1 Peter 4:8) And, to drive this point even deeper, if you do not love others, you do not know God and cannot love God. (1 John 4:7-8, 20-21)
Otherwise put, one of the best ways to love God is to love your neighbor, not just with lip service but in truth and deed. (1 John 3:18) The Golden Rule tells us a profoundly simple way to do that – treat them like you want to be treated. And just as the Golden Rule is not optional, your understanding of who your neighbors are is not optional. The parable of the Good Samaritan makes it clear that family, friends, strangers, and enemies are all neighbors. (Luke 10:29-36; Matthew 5:43-48) In fact, Luke’s rendition of the Golden Rule comes immediately after the Lord’s commands that we love, bless, and pray for our enemies. (Luke 6:27-31)
There is no need to ask how well the world is following the Golden Rule. Over two-thirds of them are not trying to follow Jesus. But how well are we Christians doing?
In my opinion, far too many Christians in our nation believe they can satisfy God by a profession of faith, right doctrine, church attendance/offerings, and correct political views. But 1 Corinthians 13 makes it clear: those efforts may be good, but without love, they mean nothing.
Jesus concludes His Sermon on the Mount with a parable contrasting the wise and the foolish, and He says something I find frightening: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 7:21-27)
At the time He spoke, Jesus focused on people who prophesied, cast out demons, and did mighty works in His name. But because they still did not do the will of God, Jesus “never knew” them. What if those people spoke today about the political rallies they attended and the political leaders they earnestly supported in the expression of their Christian faith? One group focused on pro-life and traditional marriage and gender issues while the other focused on the rights of people of color, women, and other marginalized groups.
Then Jesus said, “Fine, but did you love the people who did not agree with you? How did you treat them? Did you obey the Golden Rule?”
We must speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15) Faith works through love. (Galatians 5:6) The Golden Rule is not optional for any of us.
God bless you, and God bless our community.