The Golden Rule Refined | | news-journal.com – Longview News-Journal

The central message of the Gospel is the result of Jesus death and resurrection. Through His actions we have forgiveness of sins and may enjoy a relationship with our heavenly Father both while we live on earth and then throughout eternity. This truth is summarized in the most recognizable verse in the New Testament, John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Perhaps the second most recognizable verse in the New Testament is the Golden Rule. Jesus spoke these words as part of the Sermon on the Mount discourse. The Golden Rule is often paraphrased as, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. We get a fuller understanding of the Rule when we read the compete verse in Matthew 7:12 In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. It is the last eight words of the sentence that defines how we should act allow me to explain.

Gods word as recorded in the law and prophets details how we should treat others and in turn want them to treat us. Our preferences and desires do not define right behavior. The great lie that caused Adam and Eve to fall in the book of Genesis was the false promise that they would know and define good and evil (Genesis 3:5). Further, several times in the Bible when peoples behavior was evil, the Bible describes each person as doing what was right in his own eyes (Judges 17:6, 21:25). Contrast this the condemnation for obeying the instruction to do that which is right in the eyes of Yehovah thy God (Deuteronomy 13:18).

Please permit me to give you a quick lesson in Greek grammar the language that Matthew was written in originally. In the verse the verb is connects the pronoun this with the phrase the Law and the Prophets. In Greek the verb is identifies the pronoun (this) as being exactly the same as the object of the verb (the Law and the Prophets). So what the grammar tells us is that what is written in the Law and the Prophets is how we should treat other. Can you think of a better definition of how you would like me to treat you than what is written in the Bible?

Earlier in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. Jesus lived out (fulfilled) what was written in the Law and the Prophets. He is not only our Savior but also our example. Living out what is written in the Law and the Prophets is how we keep the two greatest commandments to love God (with all our heart, soul and mind) and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40).

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The Golden Rule Refined | | news-journal.com - Longview News-Journal