The Golden Rule

The Golden Rule: "Do to others as you would have them do to you."

Did you know that this famous "Golden Rule" that we were taught when we were children by our mothers, fathers, elementary school teachers, and principals, (that is, if we were sent to his office for bad behaviour,) is straight from the Scriptures?

Here is a list of Scripture verses that asseverate the Golden Rule:

"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite,

 but love your neighbour as yourself."

Leviticus 19:18 (NLT)

"Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.

 This is the essence of all that is taught in the Law and the prophets."

Matthew 7:12 (NLT)

"Jesus replied, 'You must love the Lord your God

 with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' 

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

A second is equally important: 

'Love your neighbour as yourself.' 

The entire Law and all the demands of the prophets 

are base on these two commandments."

Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT)

"Do to others as you would like them do to you."

Luke 6:31 (NLT)

"For the whole Law can be summed up in this one command:
 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'"
Galatians 5:14 (NLT)

It is interesting that many Eastern religions and ancient cultures adopted the Golden Rule that Jesus taught in Scriptures, even though they did not embrace Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of mankind. If more people obeyed the Golden Rule in our society today, there would definitely be more peace and harmony in our chaotic, riotous, and warring world.

Years ago, it was common to see Christian young people wear bracelets with the initials WWJD, meaning "What would Jesus do?" They wore these bracelets as a reminder for them to act, respond, dress, and speak the way Jesus would want them to. I thought it was a great idea! I also think it would be great idea for the Golden Rule to be posted throughout schools, universities, churches, government offices, fridges doors of homes, and dashboards of our cars as a reminder of this important rule to follow.

Most people have no problem doing unto others what they would have others do to them, if the "others" are those who have not offended or hurt them in any way. The difficult part is doing unto others what we would have others do to us when the "others" are those who are dastardly, selfish, and hateful. To resist the temptation to retaliate against those who do evil to us, we need to rely on God's character and strength. The Golden Rule applies to all mankind, both good and evil!

Today and in the days that follow, let's all try to make the world a more peaceful and harmonious place by doing our part in following the Golden Rule, which encompasses the whole essence of God's nature.