The Golden Rule, is not to be confused with Golden Law, Golden Ratio, or Golden Act. The Golden Rule is the principle of treating others as you want to be treated.
One of Jesus’ most famous teachings, the Golden Rule, can be found in the Bible, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
In Luke it reads, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31). This is an ethical treatment of others and it is profound and has resonated through the ages. This rule is simple and yet powerful. Simply put, treat people the way that you want to be treated. If you want kindness, give kindness. If you want to be loved, give love. This is a virtue. Virtues are attitudes , dispositions, or character traits that enable us to be and to act in ways that develop our Christlike potential. They enable us to pursue the ideals we have adopted. Honesty, courage, compassion, generosity, fidelity, integrity, fairness, self-control, and prudence are all examples of virtues.
Jesus instructs us to put ourselves in our neighbor’s place and guide our behavior accordingly. When we put ourselves in their place, we should be wise enough not to make foolish and evil wishes and desires against them. The Golden Rule displays empathy and reciprocity of morality.
Unfortunately, people don’t always treat you the way they want to be treated, nor the way you want to be treated. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t do the right thing. Two wrongs do not make a right and vengeance belongs to God.
Jesus tells us to “love others," and when we truly “love others” we are simply being obedient to God. God is expecting us to live at peace and in harmony with others; be patient with people; don’t judge others; accept people as the person made in God’s image; encourage them; serve them; and most importantly, may your acts of love point them to Christ’s ultimate love for them.
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