The Golden Rule

Matthew 7:12 NIV

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Galatians 5:22–24 NIV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Intro: 1. “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all” (Bambi [Walt Disney, 1942]). This is a condensed version of what has become known as the Golden Rule—to treat others as we want to be treated—which is found in the teachings of Jesus (Matthew 7:12).

This series is going to focus on how these lessons from childhood are all expressions of the fruit of the Spirit.

16 - How Do We Treat Others?

The story of going to a birthday party as a kid and not knowing what to get. My mom's advice, what would you want, get him that. - 1st or 2nd grade.

There seems to be a problem here with the Golden Rule. Not everything I want is best for others.

https://www.thedad.com/the-worst-gifts-to-give-your-significant-other/

Lawn Equipment

Clothing - or at least you better get the size right.

Self-Portrait

Gift Cards

A Star

Vacation - They need to plan ahead.

Best gifts are ones that let them know you were paying attention.

Other problems with the Golden Rule - Someone stole something from you. Imagine you stole something, and you think to yourself, I would not want to be punished if I stole something. Is that the best response to the thief?

The updated Golden Rule? Do unto others what they would want you to do unto them.

- The idea here is that the Golden Rule has some problems not everything you would want done is best for the other person - But this doesn't always solve the problem either, because what the other person wants may also not be best.

1. In chapter 5 of his letter to the church in Galatia, Paul writes about two ways of living: one according to the flesh, and one according to the Spirit. The life lived according to the Spirit is one that expresses the fruit of the Spirit (5:22). One aspect of the fruit of God’s Spirit is love. Treating others the way you want to be treated is an act of love. This doesn’t mean you do exactly what you want others to do to you. If you like liverwurst, that doesn’t mean you should serve everyone liverwurst. But if you want to be affirmed, it is good to affirm others. If you want to know you are valued, it is good to let others know they are valued. If you want a second chance when you mess up, it is good to make sure that you let others know that they can have a second chance when they mess up. But it’s important to realize that we cannot live out this fruit of the Spirit apart from the indwelling and empowerment of the Spirit. It is not something we do in our own strength.

So let’s talk a little more about How the golden Rule functions in a Believers life.

17 - Treating Others as You Want to be Treated.

The golden rule (see Lk. 6:31). This verse concludes and summarizes Jesus’ instructions for living as a disciple. The Law and the Prophets picks up the issue from which we began in 5:17. For another summary of the law and the prophets see 22:37–40.

Point out that the Golden Rule is the bookend on Jesus' teaching on the law and the prophets that began on Matthew 5:17 - This includes, dealing with Anger, lust, adultry, divorce, taking oaths, Retaliation (not taking it), loving enemies, Giving in secret, praying, fasting, forgiving, idolatry, materialism, judging others, asking God for needs....

Jesus says - That the Golden Rule Sums all of this up, but that also means that the Law and the Prophets give color and nuance to the Golden Rule.

18 - Different Types of Moral Guidance:

- Rules/Law - Do this and Don’t do that.

- Values - Character - Be this way.

- Axioms - Wisdom in Prophecy - General Principles that make life go well. - Like the Golden Rule “Love God and Love Others.”

- The Bible has all three,

The Golden Rule is the Spirit of the Law,

Jesus’ approach to the law - is not the letter of it perse, but where is our heart. - The letter of the Law says, “Don’t murder.” Well fine, I will not murder, but maybe I will severely beat someone to take my vengeance. Jesus teaches that we should even harbor anger towards someone - This is what, “Do not Murder points to.”

Video of Guy who gets a par on his par and birdies on his Par 5’s by “teeing off” on the green. Without Character, the rules don’t necessarily mean that God’s Will is done.

Paul’s point is that by trying to save ourselves by perfectly performing the law is impossible. A better guide for living God’s way is through the Guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

The Fruit of Love - Against such things there is no law. - If we Love like the Holy Spirit Guides us, then the law is surpassed - it is fulfilled beyond the letter.

19 - How does this Law point to me Loving God?

How does this Law point to me loving my neighbor?

How Can the Law be rephrased positively?

Other teachers had given a similar instruction in the negative form, do not treat others as you would not wish to be treated; Jesus’ positive form is more demanding. - Richard T. France, “Matthew,” in New Bible Commentary:

That shall not murder is best phrased, You shall love the lives of people God Created, because it honors the image of God in them, and it honors them as fellow human beings.

Paul would suggest, that Holy Spirit Love surpasses the letter of all the laws

20 - https://www.wingclips.com/movie-clips/to-end-all-wars/human-beings

21 - Conclusion:

How are you doing when it comes to treating them in such a way that they experience the type of life you wish for? When you were young and were told to say only nice things, odds are it was because the adults in your life understood how ugly we can be with our words. But that ugliness extends beyond our words to our actions. What can you do today to start living in such a way that you share with others a lifestyle that would make your heavenly Father proud? Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to do this.