“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12 ESV)
Commonly known as the “Golden Rule”, this is one of the most well-known teachings of Jesus. This passage is often rendered as, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Many religions teach a negative version of this rule. It is common knowledge that even before Jesus, the Jewish Rabbi Hillel gave this rule in its negative form, now often referred to as the “Silver Rule”: “Do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you…”. Confucius also said, “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”. Instead, by stating it positively, Jesus makes the message of this teaching even more significant.
It's not hard to keep ourselves from harming others - but it is far more difficult for us to actually put forth the effort and action to do something good for them! It’s easier not to hurt others because we wouldn’t want them to hurt us. But it’s a lot harder - and takes initiative and effort - to actually do good things for other people!
The Golden Rule of Jesus is the basis of love and mercy - the same love and mercy that God shows to us every day! This example, spoken of and lived out in practice by Jesus, clearly demonstrates the model for us to live by today. Of course we need to refrain from causing harm to others, but we also need to be proactive and take the initiative to show love and mercy - and to bring joy to others!
Simply stated, we should treat others the way we would want them to treat us! That would really rock this world into a positive change - wouldn't it?! We've all heard the saying, "Nice guys finish last" - first of all, of course, that isn't true - but think about it the other way around - if we are nice to people and always go out of our way to help them and treat them positively with love and compassion, where are they going to finish? That is what we need to concern ourselves with in regard to the treatment of others. Let's make sure what we do actually makes the outcome better for others - let's make a positive impact on others and help to make things better for them!
When we love God with all out heart, all our soul, all our mind, all our strength and love our neighbor as ourself (cf. Matthew 22:37-40), we live out the Great Commandment, the Golden Rule, and the teachings of the Prophets!
This is the message that Jesus gave us - Love God and love others always! (cf. Matthew 22:37-40)
“…treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you…” (Matthew 7:12 CEB)
Father, fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Enkindle in our hearts the fire of Your love that we may overflow with love, kindness, and mercy toward others. Help us to put the words of Your Son into practice. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen. †
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12 ESV)
Commonly known as the “Golden Rule”, this is one of the most well-known teachings of Jesus. This passage is often rendered as, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Many religions teach a negative version of this rule. It is common knowledge that even before Jesus, the Jewish Rabbi Hillel gave this rule in its negative form, now often referred to as the “Silver Rule”: “Do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you…”. Confucius also said, “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”. Instead, by stating it positively, Jesus makes the message of this teaching even more significant.
It's not hard to keep ourselves from harming others - but it is far more difficult for us to actually put forth the effort and action to do something good for them! It’s easier not to hurt others because we wouldn’t want them to hurt us. But it’s a lot harder - and takes initiative and effort - to actually do good things for other people!
The Golden Rule of Jesus is the basis of love and mercy - the same love and mercy that God shows to us every day! This example, spoken of and lived out in practice by Jesus, clearly demonstrates the model for us to live by today. Of course we need to refrain from causing harm to others, but we also need to be proactive and take the initiative to show love and mercy - and to bring joy to others!
Simply stated, we should treat others the way we would want them to treat us! That would really rock this world into a positive change - wouldn't it?! We've all heard the saying, "Nice guys finish last" - first of all, of course, that isn't true - but think about it the other way around - if we are nice to people and always go out of our way to help them and treat them positively with love and compassion, where are they going to finish? That is what we need to concern ourselves with in regard to the treatment of others. Let's make sure what we do actually makes the outcome better for others - let's make a positive impact on others and help to make things better for them!
When we love God with all out heart, all our soul, all our mind, all our strength and love our neighbor as ourself (cf. Matthew 22:37-40), we live out the Great Commandment, the Golden Rule, and the teachings of the Prophets!
This is the message that Jesus gave us - Love God and love others always! (cf. Matthew 22:37-40)
“…treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you…” (Matthew 7:12 CEB)
Father, fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Enkindle in our hearts the fire of Your love that we may overflow with love, kindness, and mercy toward others. Help us to put the words of Your Son into practice. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen. †
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