Where Is The Golden Rule In The Bible

Gods Desire Is To Help Us

Matthew 7:8 assures us that it is Gods desire to help us: For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened .

The book of James also tells us the source of everything good in our lives: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning .

Why Is It Golden

Why Matthew 7:12 is labeled the golden rule is unknown . The phrases’ earliest use as a guiding principle, according to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, was 1570 A.D. Despite its unknown origins, there are a few reasons why such a designation is nevertheless warranted.

Gold is something highly valuable, enduring and precious, like Jesus’ beautiful words in Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31. His teaching in this verse is “golden” because it perfectly summarizes God’s righteous character that is something we should strive for .

Matthew 7:12 can rightfully be called a rule because it is a basic, common sense standard of behavior applicable to any human. Its “golden” teaching is endorsed by the world’s four largest religions as well as Judaism and others. As a reflection of God’s perfection, it can justifiably be considered a law of the universe as it always existed and will continue to do so into eternity.

What’s The Golden Rule

According to the Concise Oxford English Dictionary the golden rule is actually a noun and means “a basic rule which should always be followed.” This term was first known as the “golden law” in the sixteenth century. The term “golden” describes something of inestimable and universal importance. This saying has became known as the Golden Rule today due to its central role in Christian ethics.

The concept is taken from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. It’s basically what’s stated so simply by the New Living Translation of the Bible: “Do to others as you would like them to do to you.”

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Forgive Others Even When They Dont Ask For Forgiveness

Let go of all your grievances and let God sort them out. Your own trek forward will be hindered or even stopped if you dont. Tell them the truth. If you see something they may need to change about their life, tell them honestly but kindly. Admonish others from time to time words of warning are easier to hear from a friend. Little lies wont save them from hearing bad things from others. Lies only serve to save yourself from feeling uncomfortable.

Confess your own sins to others. Give testimony about how you used to be but by Gods grace you arent anymore. Admit sins, admit weaknesses, admit fears, and do this in front of other people. Never have a holier-than-thou attitude. We all have sin and fall short of what we really want to be like, and we all need grace that comes from faith in Christ alone. Use your God-given gifts and talents to serve others. Share what youre good at with others dont keep it to yourself. Dont let the fear of rejection stop you from showing grace to others.

What Is The Golden Rule In The Bible

Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, Jesus said in Matthew 7:12. Luke 6:31 words it, And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. Applying this simple but profound human relations principle can help us to treat others with kindness, empathy and godly love.

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Meaning Of The Golden Rule In The Bible

“Golden Rule” is not explicitly found in Scripture, this became the popular way of referring to the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31. In summary, the Golden Rule encompasses the empathic essence of morality. It is a simple yet powerful way of saying that we should recognize the respective dignity of our fellow man and not forget we all are capable of inflicting immoral actions. This is vital in following the commandments of God and creating a more virtuous world.

Jesus declares, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” With regard to the Old Testament, two main points prevail. Matthew’s reference presents the Golden Rule as encapsulating the teachings of the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 reads, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Second, even though the Golden Rule addresses human interpersonal relationships, its message is additionally theological. That is, the very character of God guides how we should interact and relate to one another.

Applying The Rule In Our Lives

As noted above, Jesus restated what was first provided in Leviticus 18:19. The phrase As you would have them doesn’t imply in order that they might, as some have mistakenly thought. We don’t treat others as we want to be treated to influence them or persuade them to do something for us. We do it because they Jesus commanded us to do it.

Also, the rule does not impart the idea that because I want things done this way , this is the way I will treat others. The sensitivity to the feelings and desires of others is the focal point. Of course, this idea relies on the fact that what is best for man is what God desires for him and not always what man desires for himself.

For example, if someone desires that we treat them abusively because they aren’t mentally well and desire to be hurt, then it would not be right for us to comply with their wishes however sincere they might seem to be. This is because they are not mentally well, but more importantly this is not the will of God that someone be abused.

Our application of the rule implies that we treat others with respect and sensitivity but within the desires of God for people. This does’t mean that we would submit to the desires of a thief, rapist, or murderer – that’s obviously not what God wants us to do.

Simply treat others as you wish to be treated. It will make our world a better place won’t it?

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Do Unto Others The Great Commandment The Golden Rulewhat It All Really Means

In , Jesus said, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.No other commandment is greater than these. Without doing the first part, you really dont have the ability to even try the second part. When you strive to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, you gain the help of the Holy Spirit which helps you to love other people.

Some people may say that its in our nature to do good to others. After all, there has been a random act of kindness movement for a long time. But, in general, most people only help other people when:

1. Its their friend or family.2. Its convenient for them.3. Theyre in a good mood, or4. They expect something in return.

But the Bible doesnt say do random acts of kindness when youre feeling good. It says to love others at all times. It even says love your enemies as well as those that persecute you. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you any different from anyone else. Everybody does that . Loving everyone at all times is a much tougher task to accomplish. Its imperative to allow the Holy Spirit to help you.

Activity: Build Em Up

Have students sit in a circle. Tell them that youre all going to practice treating people the way you want to be treated. One way we want to be treated is for people to be nice to us and tell us nice things. Pick one student in the circle and have everyone else in the circle, including yourself, say one nice thing about that student. Then, go to the next person in the circle and do the same until everyone has heard some nice things about themselves. Remind students that we all want to hear nice things about us, so we should remember to say nice things to other people.

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It Is Tied To The Path To Heaven

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Immediately after Jesus says, So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them), he says, Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. These two verses were spoken by Jesus consecutively because He was making a point. If you arent practicing the golden rule, then you are walking through the wide gate. Please, if this is you, turn around and walk through the narrow gate instead. Christ never promised an easy life. In fact, He promised a hard life when following him. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my names sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Jesus also said, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Treating others how you want to be treated is hard, but that is why few find the narrow gate. Keep serving others. Christ modeled stewardship for us we need to follow it.

How Can You Apply The Golden Rule

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Where Does The Bible Talk About The Golden Rule And What Does It Mean For Christians Today

The Golden Rule is based on the principle Jesus Christ taught in Matthew 7:12Matthew 7:12Therefore all things whatever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.American King James Version×: Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, adding, for this is the Law and the Prophets. The significance of Jesus Christs statement here is huge. What we call the Golden Rule is the summation of Gods entire way of life.

Why? Because Gods way is all about outgoing concern for others. Thats why Jesus Christ later says of the two great commandments that, On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets .

Gods way is all about how to live the best possible lifeand the Golden Rule provides us with the bare-bones version when it says, Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them. It is the essence behind the last six of the Ten Commandments of God that show us how to truly love our neighbor as ourselves.

Loving God Comes First

Love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and is even described in 1 John 4.7-8 as the key evidence of whether or not an individual even knows God. The Bible also admonishes us however, to Preach the word Reprove, rebuke and exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine . The answer is to remember that loving GOD is the first and greatest commandment. Sometimes loving God includes saying things to other people that while in their best eternal interest arent pleasing for them to hear.

The Golden Rule is fine, but always be cautious about applying the Bibles lists of vices and virtues on our own, rather than listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The object is to always be a tool in Gods hand, rather than a performer of righteous works that youve read in the Bible. Obeying lists is religion that can happen without God. Obeying the Holy Spirit is the normal Christian life. Unfortunately, many Christians miss that distinction and spend their well-intended lives accumulating wood, hay and stubble, rather than gold, silver and precious stones .

In the end, the safest path is to #1 Study the Bible to learn Gods ways. #2 Abide in Christ in faith, and obey the Holy Spirits promptings in every situation. The Pharisees challenged Jesus when he healed on the sabbath. He replied saying, I saw my father work, and I did work. That, and not obeying lists, should be the example for every Christians daily experience.

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More Bible Verses On The Golden Rule

Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.

Matthew 22:40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

Romans 13:8 Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:10 Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Galatians 5:14 The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: Love your neighbor as yourself.

James 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well.

Why Is The Golden Rule Beneficial

The Golden Rule applies in virtually all situations. For example, it can . . .

• Promote good relations between friends, neighbors, and workmates.Proverbs 3:27, 28 Colossians 3:13.

The Golden Rule captures the spirit behind a major portion of what is commonly called the Old Testament. Jesus rule of conduct is what the Law and the Prophets mean. In other words, the Golden Rule sums up a basic tenet of the Old Testament: love of neighbor.Romans 13:8-10.

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Ways The Golden Rule Will Change Your Life Immediately

Thank you, Julio Carlos, for writing this fantastic article on the Bible verses golden rule. Make sure to check out his poetry collection Lifter on Amazon.

If a rule defined happiness, maturity, and spiritual wellbeing, that rule would be the golden rule bible verse from Matthew 7:12. If youre a Christian, then you probably know how the bible verse goes. It says, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. You dont have to be a Christian or believe in Jehovah for this to be true and make sense. Just like Gravity, this law is omnipresent, and all that tries to defy it or ignore it will fall, so let us not try to beat it.

How will this simple law help your spiritual and overall wellbeing?

Before we start, though, I want you to realize the full extent of this rule by putting it like this: Do unto others , how you wish others would do unto you. Heres how following the golden rule will help improve your spiritual wellbeing.

Remember Christ And Your New Life In Him

I was once dead in my own sin and disobedience. While I was still a sinner, Christ died for me. I had nothing to offer Christ, but he reached out to me. He died for me. Now, I have a brand new life in him. Because of grace, I have a new chance to do better each and every day and the assurance that he will never leave me nor forsake me. He died for you too.

• Have you found encouragement from belonging to Christ?
• Have you felt any comfort from his love?
• Have you been blessed by fellowship with his Spirit?

Then respond by loving other people with the love that you receive daily. Work hard to live in harmony with everyone you come in contact with .

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What Judaism Says About The Golden Rule

D’Var Torah By: Rabbi Lance J. Sussman

For the last few years, I have been a member of a local hospitals ethics committee. The hospital is part of a university-based system and the committees chair is a scholarly pulmonologist with a propensity to pick cases involving life and death choices. Other members include nurses, medical specialists, administrators, and social workers. I am the only clergy member of the group. The literature we review is mostly derived from case histories written by medical doctors and generally balances such diverse factors as medical practice, hospital liability, economics, patient rights, and culture. Our purpose is not to advise but rather to review past cases, many with close parallels in our hospital. Our chair never insists we come to a group decision but always carefully opens up the various ethical dimensions of each topic we consider. For sure, sitting on this committee has been helpful to me in my pastoral work especially when it involves end-of-life decisions. However, on several occasions I have pointed out to the committee that we never refer to nonmedical ethical literature nor does the committee maintain anything resembling a scientific system or mathematical scale to rate or prioritize its moral thinking. As in so many sectors of life today, the committee is its own ethical silo.

Daver Acher By: Rabbi Aimee Gerace