The Christian's Standard is Above the "Golden Rule"

013. THE CHRISTIAN AND THE GOLDEN RULE

There is a concept that has been around a long time and is probably one of the better recognized statements of moral conduct, and this is the standard of the Golden Rule.

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

Matt 7:12

This verse refers back to Leviticus 19:18, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself;” and this command to “love your neighbor” is part (along with Deut. 6:5) of Jesus’ answer to “what is the greatest commandment?” (Matt. 22:36-40)

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Would it be valid to say that the standard usually interpreted from the “Golden Rule,” is that we measure our treatment of others by how we think we should be treated? The standard of love for our neighbor is the love we have for ourselves; and this standard sums up the Law and Prophets and is the fulfillment of the law?

How I treat others is standardized to …….. how I would want to be treated.

How I love others is standardized to ………my love for myself.

This is an ideal that is simple to understand; even kids can understand it. “How would you like it if your brother hit you like that? Well, then, don’t you hit him.” That’s pretty basic and certainly a cut above the “iron rule” of “hit him before he can hit you; and if you just hit him hard enough, he won’t be able to hit you.”

But the Golden Rule isn’t the “last word” as a standard of moral behavior, because it has some weaknesses. For instance, the quality of application of the Golden Rule may be variable and up for negotiation.

Thus, in the conversation above, there’s “Mom!! She’s not obeying the Golden Rule.” “If you two don’t settle it, I’m going to take the golden rule and explain it to your backsides!”

Understanding the real meaning behind the Golden Rule necessitates a certain level of experience-derived behavioral maturity, else even that standard can be used for selfish purposes. This scenario could sound like, “You treat me as I would like to be treated, and I’ll treat you with the minimal quality that I can get away with.”

The Golden Rule could become a standard like the “Golden Slide Rule.” In theory, the more I love myself, the better I will treat you. But there are many extremes that could invert this standard. Someone who thinks badly of themselves may actually want others to treat them the same. If someone is a narcissist, they may “soak up” everything and everyone around them, while treating others as disposable property.

Therefore, in one sense the Golden Rule has a moral “ceiling.” Because God displayed His righteousness through the Law, what more could be expected from someone beyond obeying all the Law’s commands about one’s neighbor? Two neighbors who treated one another as the Law commanded would be loving one another according to the Golden Rule.

The Golden Rule can be approached out of the flesh, just like the Old Law. Of course, no one could obey the Golden Rule perfectly using fleshly control any more than one could keep all of the Law of the Old Covenant. But the Law has been superseded, and the Golden Rule with it. The Golden Rule hasn’t been done away with, but its requirement has been fulfilled, so that under the New Covenant we can be given the freedom of God’s grace. We are free from the sin that comes from breaking the Golden Rule, or not perfectly living up to its expectation –free to look for the better way that God has provided.

The Golden Rule isn’t wrong; it isn’t incorrect; but it is incomplete. It is as incomplete as the Old Covenant is incomplete. It serves as the foundation for what is complete and revealed by God through Jesus Christ under the New Covenant. If the Golden Rule had been adequate, there would be no need for a New Covenant (Hebrews 8:7) and for “the Platinum Rule.”

014. THE GOLDEN RULE IS INADEQUATE AND INCOMPLETE

The Golden Rule concept isn’t unique to this verse in Matthew, or even to Christianity. A statement similar to the “Golden Rule” can be found in ancient and historical writings of many different religions as well as philosophers. The world understands the value of the Golden Rule. Retail store chains and insurance companies have been named after it. The Golden Rule has been cited by companies as how employees are to treat customers, which is a good value system to endorse, except the employees know the company has a much greater interest in the customer’s pocketbook than a genuine interest in the customer.

In the previous post, some imperfections in the Golden Rule were discussed. The reason why the Golden Rule is faulty is because the measure of quality of one’s behavior is based on a faulty standard—it is based on oneself, who is destined to fail, operating out of the sinful nature. Trying to keep the Golden Rule requires the best effort that the flesh has to offer. But in Christ, we have been freed from that cycle to nowhere so that we can look to another standard—a standard of perfection, a standard of the righteousness and holiness of God. And we have been declared perfect as though we have already arrived, while we are constantly forgiven for not measuring up to the standard. By grace, we have been given the Holy Spirit of God to empower us to be transformed into that perfection, because we have been created to be like God. So this is a win-win-win-win deal.

For those in Christ have been freed to serve under a new standard, released not to be bound again by another more exacting rule, but released like an eagle over the air drafts of a valley.. The Golden Rule was limited; the new standard is limitless.

The irony is that the world would be a better place if everyone would just use the Golden Rule as a behavior standard. It is a sad commentary when the world can look at organized Christianity and, instead of seeing a role model for the Golden Rule, they often see behavior that is no different from their own. Indeed, many Christians’ standard of conduct would improve if they just obeyed the Golden Rule.

But, is the Golden Rule and the second commandment -- using the love that one have for himself as the measure for how one treats his neighbor -- the standard God expects from Christians? Is the Golden Rule standard the limit of our responsibility, and collectively the church’s responsibility, before God? Is this what we offer to God as our “spiritual worship?” (Rom. 12:1)

Consider the audience to whom Jesus was teaching in Matt 7, the “Sermon on the Mount.” Were these not people living under the Old Covenant, under the Law of Moses with rules they could not keep? Were these not Jewish people still dead in their sins, because Jesus had not yet died for their sins? Were these not Jewish people who still operated out of the flesh because that was the only option they had, because the Holy Spirit had not come to indwell the new heart created within them? Jesus drew the best possible behavior standard from the Old Law and gave them “the bottom line” -- this sums up, this fulfills, the Law and the Prophets.

Later, in the Epistles of Paul written to the churches:

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9 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.” 10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Rom. 13:8-10)

The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal. 5:14)

Paul was writing to Christians who were forgiven and had the Holy Spirit, and he said the same thing as Jesus did about loving one’s neighbor. But Paul didn’t say that their responsibility stopped with the Law and the Prophets; just obey the Golden Rule and forget the rest of it? What did Jesus do after he taught about “the Golden Rule?”

Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, and He said “It is finished.”

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. (Matt. 5:17-18)

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30)

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” (Luke 24:44)

If Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, does that mean we are free from the responsibility of treating others as we want to be treated, using our love for ourselves as the standard of behavior toward others? Or, is it that we have been freed from the Law so that we may by the grace of God understand a New Covenant, a new relationship with God – one that people under the Old Law could never attain because it can only occur through grace? Grace gives us a meaning of love that is rooted in a heavenly relationship, modeled by Jesus on this earth between the Son and the Father.

Christians have received the grace of God and the freedom from the Law so that they can put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Under the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25), we died to the old law that brought condemnation, and we were born with a new nature, created to be like God.

Therefore, the Christian standard for attitude and behavior is greater than the Golden Rule of treating others the way we want to be treated; rather, it is the Platinum Rule of …

…treating others the way that God, through Jesus Christ, has treated us.

015. WHAT IS THE CHURCH TO MODEL FOR THE WORLD – THE GOLDEN RULE OR THE PLATINUM RULE?

Following the Golden Rule can at least be attempted out of the flesh, but following the Platinum Rule can be done only by the power of the Holy Spirit of God.

If the behavioral standard of Christians were to stop at the Golden Rule, how would that testify to the need for the saving blood of Jesus Christ, to the grace of a loving God, who has freed us from the bondage of the Law of sin and death and given us the power of His Holy Spirit so that we can follow our destiny planned before the creation of the world – because we have been created to be like God?

How well is the church doing with that testimony? How can the church show the world the love of God when organized religion is in the chaos of division and works of the flesh, with a behavior of Christians toward one another that is not significantly different from that of the world? Why should the world see a need for the saving blood of Christ if those who claim they are saved can’t even behave toward one another according to the Golden Rule, much less the “Platinum Rule?”

By what standard are the members of the body of Christ treating one another when the works of the flesh are being manifested? Idolatry, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissentions, factions, envy, biting and devouring one another. (Gal. 5). Could this possibly be describing people who are even treating others the way they would like to be treated as an operation of the incomplete, fulfilled standard? Is the quality of behavior even that good?

If the church does not show the world the difference between behavior modeled after the love of God and behavior modeled after the love of self, who will? If organized religion today isn’t testifying of the love of God because of division and chaos within itself, why does God need it and why should God continue to tolerate it?

That is a question for the organized religious groups that refer to themselves as “the church” – How much longer will God’s patience with our division continue before judgment starts at the household of faith (1 Pet. 4:17)? Will the church let judgment start before it decides to unite under the banner of Jesus Christ, or will the church continue to be in denial until it is too late? Is it already too late? What are we going to do about that?

016. AND HOW HAS GOD TREATED US?

What do the scriptures reveal about the way God through Christ has treated us? What do the scriptures say about the way Christians are to treat one another? What do the scriptures say that the church is supposed to do to testify of the love of God through Jesus Christ? Why should the world want to take on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? Is it so that they can be included in the body of Christ and be treated in the way we treat one another? What does that look like? Would that “one another behavior” be inviting to anyone?

Let the “one to another” actions of the church take the witness stand and testify as to how behavior within the church is bringing honor and glory to God in the way the following verses are being carried out among the members of the body:

“Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. (John 13: 12-15)

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

“May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:23)

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 15:5)

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. (Rom. 15:7)

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal. 6:2)

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Eph.4:32, 5:1-2)

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Eph. 5:21)

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: (Phil.2:1-5)

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Col. 3:12-15)

encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (1 Thess. 2:12)

Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. (1 Thess. 4:9)

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (1 Pet. 1:22-23)

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Pet. 4:10-11)

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. (1 John 3:23-24)

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 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. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (1 John 4:7-12)

It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2 John 4-6

Treating one another the way God through Christ has treated us is the standard for Christian behavior, and this can only be done by the power of the Holy Spirit. This standard cannot be achieved by the world’s method of working out of the flesh. The difference between those who operate from the flesh and those who operate out of the control of the Spirit should be so great that it is obvious which one is expressing the relationships of love, peace, and unity -- the character of God.

After the testimony from the witness stand is finished, what will be the verdict for the church? “Well done faithful servant,” or “You hypocrites!”

A church that is not living in love, peace, and unity either does not understand what God has done or is denying the value of His grace. Why should God tolerate that type of “witness”, and why should He allow that to continue?

“No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Cor. 12:3)

--drtheophilus--