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“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).

Referring to previous truths in this great Kingdom sermon, Jesus says that our appropriate response to such a generous and gracious King is to treat others with fairness and sacrificial love. He calls us to do (in a positive and proactive sense) what we would desire to have done for us as a reflection of the goodness of our God. As opposed to similar religious writings outside the Christian faith (which are all stated negatively – “don’t do that which…”) this principle describes an active, intentional lifestyle of doing for and giving to our fellow-man. The framework is essentially do it for and to others if you would like it done for and to you or, in its most basic sense, “how would you like to be treated”? It reminds us to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 19:19). This begs the question, “Is this code of ethics the moral standard by which we must live”? His Kingdom rule in us necessitates that it is.

Despite its simplicity no greater foundation for ethics and morality has ever been uttered. Can we even imagine the peacefulness of a society that continuously practiced this principle? Even those that claim to be atheists, agnostics, or believe in situational ethics have a hard time denying that this is a standard that would benefit all human relationships. Even those who deny the need for a moral code (fatalists, postmodernists, or secular humanists) would be hard pressed to claim that they would desire to be treated in ways that don’t benefit them here in this life (When I posed the question to one atheist who believed that there were no moral absolutes, “Do you mind if I stole your wallet?”, his immediate response was “No, that would be wrong!”). The sense of fairness that The Golden Rule exhibits has been pervasive in virtually every civilization and society for all of history. This speaks to its divine origin and gives evidence for a far greater and moral Being. And this moral deity is the loving God of the Bible.

The brilliance of this assertion is that it actually sums up all of the teachings of the entire Old Testament!  I’m sure the legalistic and unloving Pharisees were shocked by such a radical claim. With all of the intricacies of the law, the system of justice, and equivalent retribution, Jesus stuns us all with the proclamation that the concept of this kind of neighborly love encapsulates it all. In other words, such respectful behavior would satisfy a significant portion of the Decalogue and remove the need for judgment based upon our offenses towards one another. Paul states it this way:

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:8-10).

But one phrase in The Golden Rule that should command our attention is, “So in everything”! Not in some things but in all things should we lovingly do to others that which is good and right.  Real caring, morality, and fairness should permeate the lives of those that have been drawn to His love, embraced by His love, received grace through His love, and have saving faith in His love. Clearly the Kingdom’s culture of love engages all of who we are – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).  And all of our actions – “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God… This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:7, 9-11).

As a representative of our loving King and His loving Kingdom we are to project fairness and goodness in all aspects of all of our human interactions. We are to proactively care for, give, and respond to others with the same kind of grace, mercy, forgiveness, and generosity that He has shown to us. This contrarian lifestyle amplifies His glory, images forth His beauty, and draws those who don’t know true love to the only place it can be found – in Him and His Kingdom. And this will happen when they meet Jesus at the Cross.