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Gospel of Matthew - Chapter 7 - Golden Rule

by Paul George  
4/12/2008 / Bible Studies

Matthew 7:12

"Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets" (WEB).

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus is teaching all His disciples, including those of the twenty-first century, what we need to know, what we are to believe, what we are to do not only toward God but toward our fellow man, if we expect to find favor in His sight. In His teachings Jesus points out the fact there are two ways to act toward God and our fellow man, right and wrong, good and evil. Self must be denied; corruptions mortified and temptations resisted.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus made it very clear we make righteousness the desire of our heart.

In our present generation the rule is to do others before they do you. Or what causes you to be angry when done to you by others, do that to others. The idea of not doing to others what you would not have others do to you is one that has been taught by many wise, discerning, sensible, peace seeking men.

James wrote in his letter, "to the twelve tribes which are in the Dispersion," "let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger" (James 1:19 WEB). He also told them, "If you fulfill the royal law, according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (James 2:8 WEB). The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Rome, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not give false testimony," "You shall not covet," and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Romans 13:9 WEB).

However, their teachings concerning relationships with others do not come up to Jesus' standard. Their standard concerning relationships is a rule of not doing rather than a rule of doing.

When Jesus said, "Whatever you desire for men to do to you" does not mean we are to do others as they want us to do. What it does mean we are not to do to others what we would not want them to do to us if we were in the situation they are in; this is the rule of doing. We need to be aware of the fact in our relationship with others doing to others as they want us to do to them can be a dangerous request. Instead of helping the individual it could do more harm. Therefore, we do not do what they want us to do but we do what we would desire they would do to us if we were in the same situation.

If we hold fast to Jesus command, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them, we will not do whatever is harmful, distressing and disastrous to those who have done to us whatever is harmful, distressing and disastrous. We will not do whatever is morally unacceptable even though they have done whatever is morally unacceptable.

If we hold fast to Jesus' command, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them, we will do to our neighbors what is the right and reasonable even though they have not done the right and reasonable.

Jesus clearly explains the reason for us doing whatever we desire others to do to us we shall do to them; this is the law and the prophets.

"You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh" (Leviticus 19:18) WEB).

Retired pastor,Church of the Nazarene

Author of web site Exploring God's Word

www.thewordofgodonline.net

New American Standard Bible

King James Version

The World English Bible

Sermons and Bible studies preached and taught by author

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