TEXT: Matthew 7:12

SUBJECT: Exposition of the Sermon on the Mount #20: The Golden Rule

About twenty years before the birth of Jesus, a Gentile came to Rabbi Hillel promising to convert to Judaism if the famous teacher could summarize the Law of God while he stood on one foot. Hillel replied: "What is hateful to yourself, do to no other; that is the whole Law, the rest is commentary. Go and learn".

Was he right? I think he was. The Ten Commandments forbade everything you find "hateful to yourself": murder, adultery, theft, false witness, and covetousness. If one abstained from these offenses, he lived up to the social standards of the Old Testament.

The Lord Jesus, however, came "to fulfill the Law and prophets". Not to just properly expound them--as some say--but to fill them to overflowing. His ethics, therefore, go beyond Hillel. And Moses. "Never a man spoke as this Man speaks".

He begins with the rule: "Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them..."

The Lord Jesus assumes that you want to be treated in certain ways. Is He right? Of course He is. You want to be treated justly. If you've done a month's work, you want a month's pay. If you've been faithful to your spouse, you don't want to be charged with adultery. You want justice. But be honest: don't you want more than justice? Yes you do. You also want mercy. Have you ever asked anyone to be patient with you? Have you ever sought someone's forgiveness? Have you ever promised to do better the next time? If so, you wanted mercy. Because you're a sinner, you need mercy. You need mercy from God. You need mercy from other people.

Do you want mercy? If so, give mercy. What is mercy? A man once told me: "Mercy means pointing out the sins of others". If he's right, I don't see how mercy differs from justice. Mercy is--in fact--the opposite of that. "Love covers a multitude of sins". Consequently,

Mercy begins with "longsuffering". The word means to "hold your temper". It assumes that someone is aggravating you. But instead of lashing out at him (with tongue or fist), you remain calm. Proverbs 19:11 puts it thusly: "The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and it is to his glory to overlook a transgression".

It includes "kindness". The aggravating person is not ignored, but treated generously. We must "bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us".

Mercy is anxious to forgive. We must "...forgive one another as God for Christ's sake has forgiven us". Is He reluctant to forgive? Ask the prodigal son. "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents".

It is pro-active. Mercy doesn't sit by waiting for others to make things right. It takes the initiative. It "pursues peace with all men" "As much as it depends on (it), (mercy) lives peaceably with all men". In short, it "overcomes evil with good".

If, therefore, you want mercy from others, you must extend mercy to others.

The Lord goes on to give the reason: "...for this is the Law and the Prophets".

There isn't a trace of the pragmatic here. He doesn't say: "If you want others to do you good, do good to them". This is sometimes true, of course. But not always. Many people have received evil for good. Paul was one of them: "...the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved".

Self-interest is not the guiding principle. Holiness is. The reason you're to "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is because that sort of attitude pleases God. It fulfills His every wish for your life. This is the kind of person He wants you to be. Why? Because it is the kind of Person He is. He "makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust".

One final expository thought: note the word "men". "Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them..." The Lord does not limit the Golden Rule to one or two compartments of life. He wants it applied at all times and to all people. Therefore:

Treat your spouse the way you want to be treated. Do you want his respect, love, and sympathy? If so, give it to him.

Treat your children the way you would want to be treated if the roles were reversed. Would you want your parents' time and interest and understanding? If so, give it to your children.

Treat your boss as you would have him treat you if he were your subordinate. Would you want a pleasant, hard-working, and reliable employee? If so, you be that worker.

Treat your subordinates as you would be treated if you were in their place. How would you like a boss just like you?

Treat strangers as you would have them treat you. If you were in trouble, who would you prefer? The priest, the Levite, or the Good Samaritan? You be the Good Samaritan.

Treat your enemies as you would be treated by them. Do you like to be slandered? If not, don't slander them. Do you wish they would forgive you? If so, forgive them.

The Golden Rule is perhaps a misnomer, for it is no "rule" at all. It is a principle to be applied to every area of life. About it, J.C. Ryle comments: "It settles a hundred difficult points...it prevents the necessity of laying down endless little rules...it sweeps the whole debateable ground with one mighty principle. It shows us a balance and a measure by which every one may see at once what is his duty. Is there a thing we would like our neighbor to do to us? Then this is the very thing we ought to do to him. How many intricate questions would be decided at once if this rule were honestly used!"

I challenge you: Try living one day by the Golden Rule. Take an oath in the morning that--as far as lies in you--you will abide by it for the next 24 hours. I dare you. See how it crucifies the ego; see how it conforms you to the Image of God's Son. May God give us the grace, for Christ's sake. Amen.