Matthew 7:12 (NIV)
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
William Barclay calls this passage “the Everest of all ethical teaching”. Not only is Christ’s teaching the paramount lesson in social behavior, it is also unique. Barclay says, “This is something which had never been said before. It is new teaching, and a new view of life and of life’s obligations.” Those are strong statements! I invite you to join me in taking a fresh look at the Golden Rule.
Unique
The Golden Rule is unique in Christ’s positive presentation of the command. The negative form of Christ’s command would look something like this: “Don’t do anything to anyone that you wouldn’t want him or her to do to you.” This negative form has been presented throughout history in a variety of forms. But never before had the world heard this positive form of the command.
Negative -> Inaction
In the (negative) form of the command adherence is not very challenging. That is, all I have to do is to check my behavior and make sure that it is something I’d be willing to receive. In following the negative form, I will simply avoid certain actions, so they don’t come back and bite me. The natural response to this negative form of the Golden Rule is, in effect, inaction.
Positive -> Action
But that’s not the form in which Jesus gives this command. Instead, He taught it in the positive. In doing so Jesus calls, not for inaction, but for action. In order to live out the positive form of Christ’s command I must (first) determine how I would like to be acted upon and then (second) perform that action to others. The guide for my action is my sense of how the world ought to treat me. That part is actually pretty easy. I have a very clear idea of how I want the world to treat me. The challenge comes when I have to actually act that way to others! Christ’s teaching is about action!
A Note About Reciprocity
By the way, this isn’t about reciprocity. In other words, I don’t act toward others the way I want to be treated to get something in return. Nope. The command is to act for the other person’s good, and that’s the end of the story. The New Oxford Annotated Bible states it this way, “…the positive form here requires active contribution to the welfare and happiness of others.” No reciprocity there, just my action for the other person’s benefit.
Application
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
William Barclay calls this passage “the Everest of all ethical teaching”. Not only is Christ’s teaching the paramount lesson in social behavior, it is also unique. Barclay says, “This is something which had never been said before. It is new teaching, and a new view of life and of life’s obligations.” Those are strong statements! I invite you to join me in taking a fresh look at the Golden Rule.
Unique
The Golden Rule is unique in Christ’s positive presentation of the command. The negative form of Christ’s command would look something like this: “Don’t do anything to anyone that you wouldn’t want him or her to do to you.” This negative form has been presented throughout history in a variety of forms. But never before had the world heard this positive form of the command.
Negative -> Inaction
In the (negative) form of the command adherence is not very challenging. That is, all I have to do is to check my behavior and make sure that it is something I’d be willing to receive. In following the negative form, I will simply avoid certain actions, so they don’t come back and bite me. The natural response to this negative form of the Golden Rule is, in effect, inaction.
Positive -> Action
But that’s not the form in which Jesus gives this command. Instead, He taught it in the positive. In doing so Jesus calls, not for inaction, but for action. In order to live out the positive form of Christ’s command I must (first) determine how I would like to be acted upon and then (second) perform that action to others. The guide for my action is my sense of how the world ought to treat me. That part is actually pretty easy. I have a very clear idea of how I want the world to treat me. The challenge comes when I have to actually act that way to others! Christ’s teaching is about action!
A Note About Reciprocity
By the way, this isn’t about reciprocity. In other words, I don’t act toward others the way I want to be treated to get something in return. Nope. The command is to act for the other person’s good, and that’s the end of the story. The New Oxford Annotated Bible states it this way, “…the positive form here requires active contribution to the welfare and happiness of others.” No reciprocity there, just my action for the other person’s benefit.
Application
The next time you see someone acting sad and lonely, think about the Golden Rule. Christ directs us to two actions. First, ask yourself this question. “When I am sad and feeling lonely, how do I want to be treated?” Second, Jesus teaches us to treat that person accordingly. Take that action for the other person’s benefit.
The next time you see someone acting angry and misunderstood, think about the Golden Rule. Then, ask yourself this question. “When I am feeling angry and misunderstood, how do I want to be treated?” Then, Jesus teaches us to treat that person accordingly. Take that action for the other person’s benefit.
The next time you see someone who is completely wrong, think about the Golden Rule. Then, ask yourself this question. “When I am completely wrong, how do I want to be treated?” Then, Jesus teaches us to treat that person accordingly. Take that action for the other person’s benefit.
Do you get it? The Golden Rule is a revolutionary teaching! Can you imagine the impact we could have on the world if we lived by this command from Jesus? I don’t think it is an exaggeration to suggest that it would literally change the world!
Go change the world today; live by the Golden Rule.
Lon Alderman
@leaderlifter
