A reminder of the Golden Rule

Matthew 7:12 (NLT)

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” 

Recently I learned that my sister-in-law had all her banking account money stolen because someone somehow got possession of her bank account number and password.  We read/hear in the news about scam artists, con artists, the Bernie Madoff's of the world who swindle and defraud innocent people.  All reminders of how much cheating and stealing and all kinds of crimes occur in this world where people have absolutely no care or concern for any one else but themselves. 

In your childhood someone—likely your parents—taught you the “Golden Rule” to “do unto others as you would have others do unto you”.  The biblical basis for this code of ethical behavior is found in Matthew 7:12.  Some will argue, for some reason, that Matthew 7:12 is not exactly the words of the Golden Rule, but they are egging for argumentation.  Wikipedia states that the golden rule was present in the philosophies of ancient India, Greece, Judea, and China so indeed it is conjecture whether Jesus was the first to state the golden rule words.  Nevertheless, our Lord taught this principle in His Sermon on the Mount and it truly is a philosophy of life that if every person would live by it, there would be no murders, thefts, and other crimes that bring harm to others.  Think about what the business world would be like if the golden rule were applied by all.  What would it be like if nations practiced this rule?  Think about how wonderful family and neighborhood and all other relationships would be if everyone followed the golden rule.  Indeed, how fortunate you are if you are part of a family and/or a group of friends where the golden rule is practiced by all. 

The Message Bible translation has an interesting interpretation of Matthew 7:12--  "Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get.”  This interpretation takes a proactive approach to positive relationships and interactions rather than a reactive approach.  So, if you need encouragement, you should encourage others first.  If you need help in some way, help someone else first.  If you desire a relationship or perhaps a stronger relationship, you need to take the initiative to start or strengthen that relationship.  And so on……..

Jesus said that this proverbial saying is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.  What does He mean?  He means that everything that is written in the Old Testament---including the Ten Commandments, all the “do’s and don’t do’s” in Deuteronomy, all the writings of the Psalms and Proverbs---everything written in the Old Testament can be summed up with this principle of reciprocity. 

When you pray the Lord’s prayer and come to the part that says “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” think of the golden rule.  You know that on earth the great majority of people do not practice this rule, but in heaven it will be practiced.  Does this not give you a tinge of wishful thinking to be in heaven right now rather than facing all the selfishness, lying, cheating, and all other wrongdoing that goes on because people do not wish to practice the golden rule? 

What are you doing that would show Jesus that you are obeying His command that you do to others whatever you'd like for them to do to you?  Is there any better action that you can ever do in your life to follow the Golden Rule?