The Golden Rule
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Those striking words spoken by Jesus in Mat. 7:12 cuts to the heart of the matter. It is, in my opinion, a combination of a warning and an encouragement on how we should treat others. In that one sentence, Jesus is summing up centuries of divine instructions that, when applied, lead to a happy life. The verse is so simple that one does not need a theological degree to understand it. It is not written in some secretive code that has to be deciphered to understand. It just states a happy-life formula in fourteen words.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see how badly some people treat others and then expect respect in return. Sometimes, if we dare to look into a social mirror, we will see the person who treats others unfairly staring back at us. Then, when we are treated in the same way, we throw a “hissy-fit” and want to throw our toys out of the cot, so to speak. It is on all of us to be honest about how we treat other people. It may be difficult to grasp, but Jesus says it isn’t about what they deserve or whether they’ve earned your kindness. He flips the script. He says, "Think about how you want to be treated, and then treat others that way first." That’s it. Simple as it can be.
That idea will change how you speak to your spouse when you’re tired. It will also change how you handle that coworker who always seems to have an attitude. Furthermore, it will alter how you interact with people online, behind a screen, where it’s easy to forget there’s a soul on the other side. Jesus calls this the Law and the Prophets, meaning it is at the very heart of God’s desire for human relationships. This isn’t just a nice sentiment for a bumper sticker; it's the core message God has always emphasized. Love people. Treat them well. Not because they’re perfect, but because you’ve received grace.
Picture that scene in your own life. Imagine you’re going through one of those weeks when everything feels off—maybe you’re carrying grief, disappointment, or you’ve messed up in ways you can’t fix. What would you hope someone would do for you in that moment? Wouldn’t you want a little patience? A listening ear? A second chance? That’s the very attitude Jesus is calling us to adopt toward others. It’s not easy or natural. Most of us have grown up in a world that teaches fairness, not grace. We want to give people what they’ve got coming to them. But Jesus isn’t calling us to fairness. He’s calling us to love like He does. That means forgiving even when it’s not asked for or helping when there’s no thanks.
One lesson I’ve learned from years in ministry is that people rarely forget how you made them feel. They might forget your words or even your actions, but they will always remember if they felt seen, heard, and loved. That’s the true essence of this command - making people feel the love we’d want if the roles were reversed. But here’s the hard truth: we can’t live this way unless something changes inside us. It’s not about trying harder to be nice; it’s about being transformed by the kindness of Christ. When you’ve been forgiven much, it becomes harder to hold grudges. When you know what it’s like to be lifted up from the pit, it’s easier to reach down and help someone else out of it.
So maybe today’s a good day to pause and ask: Am I living this out? Am I treating others the way I wish I’d be treated? What would change if I started doing that, not just with the people I like, but with those who’ve hurt me, frustrated me, and ignored me? This isn’t about earning anything from God. It’s about showing the world what He’s like. Because when people see grace in action, it softens hearts. It opens doors. And sometimes, it brings the gospel into places where sermons never could. Let’s be the kind of people who make others feel the love of Jesus, not just in our prayers, but in how we speak, act, and respond. Let’s treat them the way we'd want them to treat us.