The Golden Rule

According to Matthew 7:12, Jesus said unto his disciples, "therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." There are probably many people who know very little about the Bible; however, virtually all are with what is taught in this scripture. Yet there probably isn’t another command of God that is trampled under the feet of mankind more than this one.

Now that this command is grossly abused has but to look about him and observe some of the things taking place. For example, why do men have written contracts? Why do business places and all homes have locks on the doors? Is it not because we know that many people will not abide by this rule?

Why does every city have a police force and a judicial system? It is because we know there are those who will not comply with this rule unless they are forced. Why do nations spends billions of dollars every year for defense? It is because history has taught them well that many nations have no respect for this law either.

There are too many people in the world who are following rules such as: do unto others as they do unto you, or as they are capable of doing unto you, or what is mine is mine and what is thine is mine if I can get it. Yes, people are following many different rules, but how many are following the Lord’s Golden Rule found in Matthew 7:12?

It seems strange that we as people would so strongly rebel against this rule. We must realize what a wonderful world this would be if all of us would just abide by this one little rule: To treat all others the way you would want them to treat you.

Try, if you will, to imagine the trillions of dollars spent every year for the purpose to force individuals and nations to follow this rule. Try, because try is all you can do, to really and truly comprehend the height, breadth, and depth of all the good that could be do with this money. Overnight, as it were, the world would find itself with better schools, medical facilities, recreation places, fewer incomplete research projects, relief of hunger and tenement living conditions.

Yes, if everyone would follow this rule, then this planet would be a much better place to dwell for all people. Yet, we know there never has been nor ever will be, a time when all people will do this. However, let all of us who to desire to please God be aware that we must allow this rule to govern our lives because James 2:8-12 teaches that if we are to please God we must conform to all his will and Matthew 7:12 is one part of that will of God.

Are we, as God’s children really and truly doing unto others as we would want them to do unto us? Maybe we could more accurately determine or monitor our actions by answering the following list of questions:

	If I have children, am I training them to be companions and parents?
	As a husband, am I treating my wife as I would want to be treated if I were she?
	As a wife, am I treating my husband as I would want to be treated if I were he?
	As parents, are we treating our children, in all ways, as we would want to be treated if we were they?
	As a child, am I treating my parents as I would them to treat me, if I were they?
	As an employer, if I had to switch places with my employees, would I be willing for everything to continue just as it now is?
	As employees, would we be satisfied with everything remaining just as it is if we were the employer and they were us?
	As teachers and students, if you had to change places would there be desired changes you would seek?
	If you, as a physically or mentally sound person, had to change places with those that are not, would you be pleased with things as they are?
	If you, as a member of a majority group were the member of any minority group, would you be pleased with things as they are?
	Would we, as penitent offenders want others to forgive us of our past?
	If we were discouraged, would we want encouragement from others?
	Do we appreciate being commended when we do well and have we commended others?
	Are we treating all institutions and all other people as we would want them to treat us?
	If we were God and He were us, could we as Him say unto ourselves as Him, "well done my good and faithful servant?"

If brethren, the answer to all of these questions is indeed yes, then our relationship with God and man is indeed being governed by what mankind calls the Golden Rule.