The Golden Rule!

The golden rule according to society is, “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” This is based on Jesus’ statement in Matthew 7:12, “Therefore whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

Oswald Chambers says, “The golden rule for understanding spiritually is not intellect but obedience.” based on Acts 5:29, “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said, ‘We ought to obey GOD rather than men.’” This is the conflict of life; everyone understands that how you treat other people is how you will be treated but some do not care. Jesus also told us, “To love our neighbor as we love ourself.” An expansion of the “do unto to others” statement but many people still treat others as they do not want to be treated themselves.

Most of us struggle with the concept of obeying GOD rather than men when there is a conflict in our goals or desire. Why? Because, they do not pay attention to Jesus’ full statement, “But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a questioned testing Him and saying, ‘Teacher which is the great commandment in the Law?’ Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment and the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’” Matthew 22:34-40

The problem in the world is that they do not want to obey and serve GOD! Jesus said to not just love your neighbor but to love your enemies and those who spitefully use you; Matthew 5:43-48. This is not the way of the flesh and the world.

The problem in much of the Church is that we have all kinds of teachings on the promises, provisions, healings, deliverances, prosperities, goodness’s, etc. of GOD. But, we have little teachings on the sacrifice and obedience that Jesus called believers to. Teachings like, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” “If they persecuted Me they will persecute you.” “They will imprison you and kill you and think they are doing the work of GOD.” “Whoever puts his hand to the plow and turns back is not fit for the Kingdom.” Do not fear men who can kill you rather fear Him who can both kill the body and the soul.” These and many other of Jesus’ teaching are about the call and struggle of obedience that is a requirement of being a Christian.

Study the teachings of Jesus not just for the rewards but also for the requirements of His Kingdom.