The Golden Rule

"THE GOLDEN RULE"

1. Where can we find the GOLDEN RULE?
The first place to look is in the Bible: Matthew, chapter seven.

[Mat 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Mat 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you.

Mat 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Mat 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye?

Mat 7:5 Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.]

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2. This "rule" serves as a perfect summary of the kind of righteousness the kingdom of heaven expects in respect to MAN'S RELATION TO MAN.

(But what is the "golden rule"? Was Jesus teaching anything new or original by what He stated?)

I. THE "GOLDEN RULE" VERSUS THE "SILVER RULES"

A. Many people believe Jesus was simply repeating what others had already taught.

FOR EXAMPLE...

1. The HINDU religion taught:

This is the sum of duty: do naught to others which if to thee would cause thee pain.
~The Mahabharata

2. The BUDDHIST religion taught:

Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.
~Udana-Varga

3. The JEWISH traditions taught:

What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow men. That is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.
~The Talmud

4. The MUSLIM religion taught:

No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.
~Hadith

5. The BAHA'I faith teaches:

He should not wish for others that which he doth not wish for himself, nor promise that which he doth not fulfill.
~The Book of Certitude

6. And Yet Some Other Sources:

Do not do unto others what angers you if done to you by others.
~Isocrates 436-338 BCE

"Tzu-kung asked, 'Is there a single word which can be a guide to conduct throughout one's life?' The Master said, 'It is perhaps the word "shu". Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire'"
~Analects, 15.24

B. But Jesus' "Rule" was positive, while most of the above are not...

1. Jesus' "rule" requires you to do something favorably to others, while the others only prohibit you from doing something unfavorably to others!
a. Jesus ---> Do unto others what you want them to do to you.
b. Others ---> Don't do to others what you don't want done to you.

2. With the others, all that is required is that you don't harm other people; with Jesus, what is required is that you show kindness to others.

3. Jesus' rule is truly the GOLDEN rule, the others are SILVER rules (of value, yes, but not as much as "gold").

[The only exception appears to be that found in Hadith (the traditions of Islam); but then, some of Islam is admittedly based upon what Jesus taught 600 years before Mohammed.

So we believe what Jesus taught was something new compared to what "uninspired" teachers had taught prior.

But in another sense it was nothing new; rather, in a simple and easy to remember statement, Jesus gives us...]


II. A GUIDELINE FOR RIGHTEOUS CONDUCT TOWARDS OTHERS

A. That was in perfect harmony with the law and the prophets!

1. Just as we have seen in the rest of Jesus' teachings (cf. Mt 5:21-48).

2. This one "rule" summarizes what the Law and the Prophets were all about.

3. Just as the commandment "Love your neighbor as yourself" summed up the Law according to Paul - Ro 13:8-10.

B. A sort of "pocket knife" or "carpenter's rule"...

1. That is, something that is always ready to be used consult a friend, teacher, or book for advice, the "golden rule" can be guide for proper conduct.

2. Treat others as you would be treated, and it is unlikely you will ever do the wrong thing.

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CONCLUSION

1. Even in this way, we find that Jesus did not come to "destroy" the Law, but to fulfill it in every way, including summarizing its righteousness in ways easy for us to understand and apply!

2. Throughout the first twelve verses of Matthew 7, then, there is a continuous theme: the righteousness of the kingdom in regards to man's dealings with man.

3. And what are the basic points?
a. Be careful in your judgment of others.
b. Persevere in looking to God for help in making proper discernment.
c. In your treatment of others, treat them like you want to be treated

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PRAYER

Father help me regard everyone as your workmanship and therefore worthy to be saved. As I deal with others, help me live Your "Golden Rule". God help me be always ready to forgive my fellow man as you forgive me.

As I declare with David : "O Jehovah, my Lord, how excellent is Thy Name in all the earth, who has set Thy glory above the heavens! They are Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers; as for moon and stars, Thou hast ordained them. How great Thou art!" may I continually be reminded of your loving care.

The Golden Rule outline came from: http://www.ccel.org/contrib/exec_outlines/home.htm

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