Have you ever
found yourself in a situation where you were faced with the need to make a important moral
decision on the spur of the moment? Because you were unable to recall any specific
scripture that addresses the moral dilemma in which you found yourself, were you left
wondering what is the right way to act,? As a
part of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus provided a tool to help in such a situation. It
seems well suited for just a situation for it is a quick and easy way to know what to do
and it also easy remembered.
In our last
examination of the commands of Christ we looked at his command about prayer, that we are
to "ask…seek…and
knock.” In Matthew 7:11 Jesus
concluded that the reason that we should go to God in prayer is because God gives us good
gifts. The next imperative command is found in verse 12 (poiete)
where it is translated, “you
do to them.” So the next command is tied to the preceding with the
word “therefore”
and refers to our relationship to God. Therefore we are to not let our conduct be
determined by how others treat you, but rather by how God treats you.
The Golden Rule, which is found in the seventh chapter of the
book of Matthew, verse 12, is probably the most universally praised statement that Jesus
ever made.
“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to
them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Much has been
made by various comment-ators of the fact that this principle is found in other religions
prior to being stated by Jesus, although previously it has always stated negatively.
Confucius for example, is credited with having said, “Do not to others what
you would not wish done to yourself.” [John Stott. Essential
Living: The Sermon the Mount. Leicestor, England: InterVarsity Press, 1988) p. 190]
What we don’t want others to do to us, we shouldn’t do to them. All that is required is that we not harm other people. Now that is not a bad rule, but there is nothing particularly religious about it. We don’t have to embrace any religion to recognize that it makes sense. We do not have to endorse any ethical standard, or any theological frame of reference to understand its usefulness in society. But it is really little more than a calculated effort to avoid retaliation.
The difference between these former rules of conduct and Jesus’ Golden Rule is dramatic. In the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-36) we can see a good illustration of the application of Golden Rule applied negatively. A traveler was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was mugged, stripped and left in a pool of blood beside the road to die. Two men come by and saw him but went on about their business. One was a priest and the other was a Levite. They practiced the silver rule. They did not do this man any evil, but they did not help him either. If we were the victims in this story we would want someone who would help us.
Secondly, The
Golden Rule is a Guide not a Goal.
Jesus was not
saying, “You
need to nice to others so that they will be nice to us.” Although the Golden
Rule expressed the way we are to behave it does not guarantee any reciprocal results.
We find a good example of this in the great philosopher Charlie Brown. “Charlie Brown is a
kind-hearted, do-good kind of character. Despite the abuse he receives from the other
inhabitants in Charles Schultz’s cartoon strip, Peanuts, Charlie Brown
continues to practice the Golden Rule. Even though it rarely works to his advantage,
Charlie Brown keeps on doing for others what he would
have them do for him.
In one strip
Charlie and Lucy are lined up behind a bunch of other kids to see a movie. “Have you
been here long, Charlie?” Lucy asks. “No, I just got here. Actually, I
shouldn’t be going to the movies at all. I have homework to do. If it weren’t
for the fact that they are giving away free candy bars to the first fifteen hundred kids,
I wouldn’t even be here.”
Lucy, who has
been listening to the ticket agent counting kids while Charlie Brown talked, asked him,
‘Do you mind if I get ahead of you Charlie Brow?’
‘No, please
do.’ ‘Ladies first that is always my motto. I don’t think this is a very
good movie. I just came because of the free candy bars for the first fifteen hundred kids.
I really should be home doing my reading, but you know how it is when they are giving
something away free,” Charlie continues as Lucy pays for her ticket.
‘Fifteen
hundred!’ announces the ticket agent. ‘Sorry kid, that’s the way it goes.
The world is full of Lucy’s.” [Haddon W. Robinson.
The Sold Rock Construction Company: How to Build Your Life On the Right Foundation.
(Grand Rapids: Discovery House, 1989) pp. 16-117]
The
Golden Rule is a Guide not a Goal And…
Third, The Golden
Rule Results in Changed Relationships
In Romans 12:17-21
the Apostle Paul expresses the very thought of the Golden Rule in practice, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in
the sight of all men. (18) If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably
with all men. (19) Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for
it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. (20) Therefore
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so
doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." (21) Do not be overcome by evil, but
overcome evil with good.”
John Stott says,
“It is a remarkably
flexible ethical principle…. All we have to do is use our imagination, put ourselves
in the other person’s shoes and ask, ‘How would I like to be treated in this
situation?” [Stott p. 191]
J.C. Ryles says, “It settles a hundred
difficult points…It prevents the necessity of laying down endless little rules for
our conduct in specific cases.” [as quoted by Stott.
p. 191]
Let me give you a
some illustrations of how this “Golden rule” can be applied.
In Dealing With
the Lost
If
you were a lost man or woman with
Even spiritual
ones like you and I do not like to be corrected. When don’t like to be told that we
have made a mistake or an error in judgment, but if we are going to be confronted we would
rather it be with a meek and patient spirit. Paul instructs the believers for such an
eventuality in Galatians 6:1-2, “Brethren, if a man is
overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of
gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. (2) Bear one another’s
burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
It Can Help In
Dealing With Those Who Mistreat You. (Luke 6:27-28)
“But
I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (28) bless those
who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.”
In Dealing With
Feeling Of Revenge And Retaliation (Romans 12:19)
“Beloved,
do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written,
"Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.”
But the person who would obey the Golden Rule must first get their minds entirely off of themselves and fix at all moments on the needs, cares, loves, joys, hopes and dreams of other people.
Let me
illustrate. “Little Chad was a shy,
quiet young man. One day he came home & told his mother to make a valentine for
everyone in his class. Her heart sank. She thought, “I wish that he would do
that!” because she watched the way the other children treated him.
Nevertheless,
she decided she would go along with her son. So she purchased the paper & glue &
crayons. For 3 whole weeks, night & day, Chad painstakingly made 35 valentines.
Valentines
Day came & Chad was beside himself with Excitement. He carefully stacked them up, put
them in a Bag & ran out the door. His mother decided to bake him his Favorite Cookies
& Serve them up Warm when he got home. She just knew that Chad would be disappointed.
It hurt her to think that he worked so hard on all of those Valentines & he might not
get any in return.
That afternoon when she heard the School
He was
walking a little faster than usual. She fully expected him to burst through the door with
Tears because his Arms were Empty. When the doors opened, she chocked back the Tears.
“Mommy has some warm cookies & milk for you Chad.” But he hardly heard her
words. He just marched right on by, his face was aglow, & all he could say was;
“Not a one...not a one.” Her Heart Sank. And then he added, “I didn’t
forget a single person in my class mom.” [Carl Kelleher. “How Do You Like To
Be Treated?’ Sermon on Matt. 7:12-14 - Sermon Central (8/3/2003 - Sermon ID 43397)
p.9]
To really obey
the Golden rule we must take our eyes off of ourselves.
Remember that:
The Golden Rule
Requires Positive Action
The Golden Rule
is a Guide not a Goal.
The Golden Rule Results in Changed Relationships.
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