Have you heard about the Golden Rule? Where did you learn about the Golden Rule? Did you know that Jesus Christ is the original author? He said, “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). First is the principle of doing to others what you would want them to do to you. The second principle is the Law and the Prophets.
The golden rule seems so simple, and I wasn’t going to write a blog because it is common sense, but after writing a blog about the following two verses, I understood why Jesus gave this command. To understand the next two verses, you need to understand the golden rule.
Why is this command golden? Take a moment to quiet your mind, then imagine a world where everyone treats everyone around them as they would want to be treated.
- We will treat other people as having worth.
- Everyone will be respectful, kind, patient, and gentle.
- People will show grace and forgive others for offenses.
- We all live in peace with everyone else.
- No one is arrogant.
- People won’t keep a record of wrongs.
How many marriages, families, and communities would be transformed if they would follow this rule? The problem is that we have a sinful nature that is prideful and self-centered. I explain the damaging effects of pride on relationships in HOW PRIDE DESTROYS.
What is The Law and the Prophets?
What is the law and the prophets? This exact phrase can be found in four other verses: Matthew 22:40, Luke 16:16, Acts 13:15, and Romans 3:21. The law was given to Moses by God when the Israelites were in the desert. God’s law governed their behavior, much like our laws govern our behavior. The laws God gave were to lead the people to love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love others as themselves. The Pharisees added burdensome legalistic laws of dos and don’ts that had nothing to do with love.
Prophets are God’s messengers to warn people to repent when they forget God’s laws and disobey Him. The following is another example of the law and the Prophets. Matthew 22:35-40.
35And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”
37And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38This is the great and first commandment. 39And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
40On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
The following verses explain how love fulfills the law.
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. – Romans 13:8
Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. – Romans13:10
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” – Galatians 5:14
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. – James 2:8
Conclusion
The golden rule is the same as loving your neighbor as yourself. Read my post about this called Diminish the “Self-centered” Belief to Expand Goodness (Other-centered). How amazing it is to obey God’s command to love others as ourselves. Do you love other people as yourself or do you have any hate for someone who hurt you?
Related posts
Wise People Love Those Who Hate Them
How to Dig up the Unforgiving Belief to Grow in Love
Hope for Lasting Peace, Love, and Victory
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Hope for Complete Healing 
Another homerun.
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Thank you, you are so kind. Writing commentary on Jesus’s first sermon has been very challenging. With God’s help, I have been blessed by the insights He has given me. I am happy you have been blessed.
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