The “Golden Rule” Considered

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The “Golden Rule” Considered

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: Matthew 7:12


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Recently I had someone request a lesson on the so-called, “Golden Rule”.  Because it is something we ought to consider from time to time, I have decided to address this today.

The “Golden rule” is a manner of life that is considered the highest “moral rule.”  And it is the standard that we are Christians are called to live by.

  1. Different “moral rules” of life.
    1. Based on describing “the golden rule”, men have assigned other medals to describe behaviors. These are some of the other “rules” I have found in my research.
    2. The Iron Rule – Do unto others BEFORE they do unto you. This is might makes right.
    3. The Bronze Rule – Do unto others as they HAVE DONE unto you. This is about retaliation. “An eye for an eye”, etc.  Sometimes justice calls for this when punishment is due.
    4. The Silver Rule – Do NOT do unto others as you would NOT have them do unto you. This is saying, “Do no harm”.
    5. The Golden Rule – “Do unto others AS you would have them do unto you.” This is what Jesus taught.  It was in the sermon on the mount in which He taught that our ways are to excel those of common society.
    6. Other rules include:
      1. The Tin Rule – which is a melding of the iron rule and golden rule. It describes one who does as he desires to those who are inferior (the iron rule) and gives careful consideration to those who are superior (the golden rule).  This is the selfish person who is guided by what is best for himself (i.e., “What’s in it for me?”).
      2. The nepotism rule which means you treat family well and all others as you see fit.
      3. One source mentioned a Titanium Rule – Do unto others a Jesus has done unto you, This actually is the perfected basis of the Golden rule
  2. Jesus teaching “the golden rule”
    1. Many sources seek to combine the “gold” and “silver” rules as the same, but there is a big difference. They will describe what they call versions of the “golden rule” as predating Jesus. For example:
      1. Confucius is quoted as saying, “What you do not want others to do to you, do not do to others”
      2. Hindu says, “This is the sum of duty: Do naught to others which if done to thee would cause thee pain.” (The Mahabharata)
      3. The Jewish Talmud taught, “What I hateful to you, do not to your fellow men. That is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.”  (Cf. Matthew 22:37-39, Leviticus 19:18).
      4. Muslims teach, “No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.”
      5. You will notice in most of these, the rule is “do no harm” thus what we call the “silver rule”
    2. But Jesus took that a step further.
      1. Instead of simply refraining from harming others, as you would not like to be harmed, He emphasized, You treat others the way you would want to be treated.
      2. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), this was a summary of various behaviors He had taught. For example:
        1. Matthew 5:21-22 – You have heard – do not murder, but I say, do not be angry…
        2. Matthew 5:27-28 – You have heard – do not commit adultery, but I say do not lust.
        3. Matthew 5:33-37 – be honest. Let your “yes be yes” and your “no be no”
        4. Mathew 5:38-42 – go the extra mile
        5. Matthew 5:43-48 – love your enemies as well as your friends.  Even do good to and pray for them.
        6. Matthew 6:1-4 – Think of others when you give, not yourself
        7. Matthew 7:1-5 – judge as you would like to be judged
        8. Matthew 7:7-11 – leading to our text, Jesus speaks of how God is willing to give to those who ask what they need. He then gives several examples of how a father will give his son what he needs (bread, not a stone; fish, not a serpent).  If man knows this is the right thing to do, we should do so to one another.
        9. This leads to our text.
      3. Our text notes:
        1. Therefore – tying it to what He had taught in His sermon. It is also a marker of result.  Jesus is making application to these things.
        2. Whatever you want men to do to you – the word “whatever” is a word meaning totality. This is NOT something to be applied randomly or when it is convenient.  ALWAYS ask yourself how you would like to be treated if the shoe were on the other foot.   Other translations bear this out.
          1. The LSB, Therefore in all things, what you want…;
          2. The NASB, “In everything therefore”;
          3. The KJV, Therefore, all things whatsoever you would men do…
      4. Do also to them – the word “do” is a present tense imperative meaning this is an ongoing command.
      5. For this is the law and the prophets – Jesus would emphasize this later, and it was something the Jews understood. This is what the first and second commandments were – Matthew 22:37-39.  Luke 10:25 finds the lawyer testing Jesus and asking what the greatest commandment is.  The lawyer answered correctly.  Then he asked, “But who is my neighbor?”
    3. Consider then the parable of the good Samaritan – Luke 10:29-37. In this parable we have 3 of the “moral rules” described.
      1. The iron rule – the thieves who robbed and beat the victim. Might makes right.
      2. The silver rule – both the priest and Levite saw him and did nothing to help. They even went to the other side.  NOTE that they “did no harm”.  But they did not help him either.
      3. The golden rule – the Samaritan who was willing to inconvenience himself and had compassion, helped the man with everything he had available. He inconvenienced himself and sacrificed for the victim.
      4. JESUS asks who was the neighbor – the lawyer go it! It was the one who treated his fellow man (even though likely he was a Jew) as he would want to be treated.
  3. What principles guide how we are to treat each other.
    1. Be a good neighbor – Romans 15:2, seek to please your neighbor.
    2. Look out for their best interests – Philippians 2:3-4.
    3. With love – Matthew 22:39 – you love your neighbor as yourself! Romans 13:10 – Love does no harm to his neighbor, therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
    4. With kindness and compassion – Colossians 3:12-13 – be kind to one another., longsuffering and bearing with one another.
    5. We are seeking to build each other up – our goal is to have a positive impact on others. Hebrews 10:24-25 – addresses our standing with brethren/.  EVEN if that first involves tearing down (2 Timothy 4:2-3)
    6. Pursue peace with all men – Hebrews 12:14 – without it we will NOT see the Lord. Romans 12:18 – as much as depends on you…   Do your best to NOT get caught up in the ugliness that often shows itself.
    7. Be honest and fair at all times – 1 Peter 2:12 – our conduct is to be honorable among the Gentiles…
    8. Be servants – Galatians 5:13, Philippians 2:4, cf. Mark 10:45 – it is why Jesus came. Serving others goes far as we seek to be an influence – Matthew 5:16.
  4. How should we apply this rule today?
    1. If I were hungry or had a need, would I want someone to help me? James 2:14-18, Matthew 25:31-46, etc.  Would I want it without judgment?
    2. If someone questioned something I said, did, or they observed about me, would I want them to give me the benefit of the doubt? Matthew 7:1-5.
    3. If I was doing something wrong, would I want my brother to come to me about it or ignore it? James 5:19-20, Galatians 6:1-2
    4. If I had wronged someone, would I want them to forgive me? Matthew 6:14-15, Ephesians 4:32
    5. If I were engaged in harmful behaviors (addictions, wasteful conduct, bad attitudes), would I want them to enable me? 2 Thessalonians 3:10, Galatians 6:1-2
    6. If someone heard something about me, would I want them to come to me about it or spread it maliciously to others? 1 Timothy 5:13, 2 Corinthians 12:20 – whisperings.
    7. Would I want someone to tolerate me with respect and dignity (even if I cannot approve of them)? – cf. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.
    8. Would I want someone to sacrifice personal pleasures, time and resources to help me if I had a need?
    9. If I were lost, would I want someone to try and teach me the truth? 2 Corinthians 5:10-11
    10. WHAT if we applied the golden rule in various relationships?
      1. In our society. In our politically, racially, socially divided society, RARELY do we find the “golden rule” being practiced!!!!! BUT what if it were?
      2. In our homes – there would be less unfaithfulness, divorce, and nominal marriages. Children and parents would live together with love and respect for each other.
      3. In our government – laws would be passed that genuinely helped and protected citizens and not self-serving politicians.  Politicians would deal honestly and honorably even with those they disagree with.  Crime would be appropriately punished.  Law abiding citizens would be considered and not exploited or oppressed.  Government would be willingly transparent.
      4. In our business dealings – there would be honesty in all things. They would put the needs of their consumers as a priority. They would produce quality products that lasted.  Employees would be honorable in doing their jobs. Customers would not try to steal, cheat or exploit business.
      5. In our communities – there would be no prejudice or lawless behavior. We would be kinder in our dealings with one another.  Neighbors would be helping and respecting each other.
      6. In our churches – How many problems would never materialize? We would see unprecedented unity that God calls for in His word. Love would always prevail.

Truly the golden rule IS “golden” which means it is of very high value.  Jesus taught this rule and lived it.  And as His disciples, we too must live it if we hope to spend eternity with Him.  Be reminded of 1 John 4:20, If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?  One day we will stand before God in judgment and He will consider how we treated others.  Is the rule of your life “golden”?  Think about it!

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