The Golden Rule

"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

By popular definition, "The Golden Rule is the principle of treating others as you want to be treated. It is a maxim that is found in many religions and cultures. It can be considered an ethic of reciprocity in some religions, although other religions treat it differently." Similarly, Christians say the "Golden Rule gives us a standard by which naturally selfish people can gauge their actions: actively treat others the way they themselves like to be treated." There seems to be this assumption made that the "Golden Rule" is not only possible for people to live by, but that it was the intent of Jesus Christ that we could. No wonder other religions have variations of it. This idea that we can somehow live by the "Golden Rule" is seen in the following comment: "I’m more of a golden rule follower. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. That seems to suffice." While this "seems to suffice" for this person, does it suffice to God? Just prior to giving the "Golden Rule" Jesus says, "Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him (Matthew 7:9-11)!" He makes it clear that just because they are giving gifts to those they love, they are still evil. Then He gives the "Golden Rule" as a summation of the Law and the Prophets. We know some things about the Law. "So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law (Galatians 3:24-25)." The purpose of the Law is to lead us to Christ. That includes the "Golden Rule" as well. We are no longer led by "rules," golden or otherwise. Christians are led by Jesus Christ. Also, James said, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it (James 2:10)." If we say that we are going to obey the rule that sums up the Law, then we must be 100% perfect in our obedience to it. This means in every action we do in thought, speech, and deed. Besides, who is keeping track of our ability to live this way? Do we go to our neighbors and ask them how we are doing? Finally, when Paul was writing to Timothy he said this to him: "We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers - and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine (1 Timothy 1:8-10)." The law isn't even for Christians, but for Christians to use to show unbelievers their need for the grace and mercy of God found through faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ amplified the law in order to completely bury us under the impossible demands of it. The "Golden Rule" was said during the preaching of the Sermon on the Mount. For centuries Christians have taught that this sermon given by Jesus was what I have heard referred to as the "Christian Constitution." In other words, it is assumed that Jesus was laying out the blueprint on how Christians are to live our lives when, in fact, He was doing the exact opposite. Take note of how many times Jesus says, "But I say," during His preaching. It is usually following Him stating something about the demands of the law. He uses it to say that the law commands you to do this, but I say you must do even more. For example, Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:27-28)." It is one thing to not commit adultery, entirely something different to not look at a woman with lust in your heart. Put this into context with the popular understanding of the "Golden Rule" and you have a recipe for disaster. Of course, you most likely don't want to commit adultery nor have someone you love commit adultery against you. But, as a man, how do you honestly avoid having a lustful thought about another woman ever in life? It is impossible no matter how hard you try or how good your intentions may be. And this is just one command! There are hundreds of commands in the Law. This should cause everybody to pause and reevaluate what they believe and how they live. God is the standard by which we live if we are going to try and incorporate the "Golden Rule" into our lives.  This isn't something we determine whether or not it seems to suffice. Do you want to go before God and have Him ask you, "Did you actively treat others the way you like to be treated?" Could you honestly answer, "Yes," to this question? Would you want to have everybody you interacted with during your Christian life to have a say as to how you treated them? Both the answer God gives and the people you have interacted with will be the same; your obedience to the "Golden Rule" will not suffice. The sooner you come to this realization the better off you will be in your relationship with Jesus Christ. "Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith (Galatians 3;11).”" It should be evident that you are not living up to the Golden Rule or the law. Therefore, you will not be justified before God by your efforts. You are only justified by your faith in Jesus Christ's ability to treat you as you want to be treated.