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The Golden Rule is known all around the world. The idea of using what we want from others to measure how we treat people is used in families, schools, and even in psychology. It seems like such a good message for everyone to keep in mind, and it certainly is. Yet there is a word in there that we often miss, and paying attention to it can change our motivations for following it.
The misunderstanding
In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
We’ve discussed that Jesus wasn’t a moral teacher (link). That argument may seem hard to make in light of this verse, but that’s only if we stop at the surface of what Christ is saying.
When we consider Christ’s words, we often transform it into a form of superstition or karma. We find motivation to treat others well based on a hope that they’ll repay us likewise. We think that if we initiate good behavior, the other person will do likewise.
Yet anyone can do this. All people are capable of treating others well by focusing on their own self interest. It doesn’t take Christ saving us to think “I’d certainly want them to help me, so I’ll help them.” And if we’re honest, many of us often expect to be repaid, in some form, for treating others well. After all, when we decide to treat others well based on our own wants, we create an expectation that it will happen.
Let’s be honest, our understanding of the Golden Rule encourages us to be selfish. How often do we remember Christ’s words, but excuse ourselves by saying “But they aren’t treating me like well, so why should I?” Our common understanding puts the focus entirely on us and what we think we deserve.
But if Christ wasn’t a moral teacher who just wanted people to be nice to one another, then why is He saying this?
Before “therefore”
As we’ve discussed, we need to pause whenever we see the word “therefore” (link). It’s a sign to us that what is about to be said is a continuation of a thought. So when Christ says “therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you,” it’s clear that we treat others well because of what He just said. And what He just said makes the Golden Rule completely impossible for those who aren’t pursuing God.
Before this, Christ speaks some more famous words:
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? (Matthew 7:7-10)
Here, Christ is demonstrating the goodness of God by comparing Him to an earthly parent. He points out, very clearly, that God rewards those who seek Him. Not that He will give give us what we want, but like any good parent He will supply everything we need. We only need to ask. Then, He goes on to summarize His point:
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:11)
God is greater than us. He is more loving, more knowledgeable, and more capable of caring for His children. He will supply all our needs, never once failing us or abandoning us. God is good.
The golden motivation
Immediately after giving us such a big picture of God, Christ says:
In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
With the context of what came before, this famous verse takes on new life. Christ isn’t giving people good advice to live by, nor is He even giving all people a general rule to live by. He’s calling for something that has nothing to do with us, and everything to do with God.
By giving us such a big picture of our good and loving Father, Christ gives us motivation for our interactions with others. It is out of gratitude and humility to God that we treat others well. It has nothing to do with putting in good works to get good rewards, but everything to do with our response to who God is.
The whole purpose of considering how we want to be treated isn’t a promise that we will be treated well, nor rewarded for it. Anyone who has worked retail knows that’s a lie. Instead, we consider it simply because we all have a basic understanding of how we want to be treated.
In other words, we want to treat others well because our Heavenly Father treats us with nothing but goodness. How do we know how to treat others well? We need to look no further than how we’d like to be treated. We want others to know we’re human beings with feelings, thoughts, needs, and innate value. Our lives aren’t less worthwhile because of our skin, political beliefs, age, or country of residence. We want to be treated like a human being for no other reason than because we are human beings.
And that’s exactly how God treats us. He doesn’t look at us and treat us differently based on merit or favoritism. He sees a human being, made in His image, and in daily need of Jesus Christ. He gives us grace, mercy, and everything we need simply because it pleases Him.
Thus, the Golden Rule isn’t something meant for the world. How could it be? Those without Christ cannot be motivated out of love and reverence for God. They can only be motivated by self-interest and self-love. They can’t treat others well out of their natural desires, nor can doing so make them a “good person” in God’s eyes because their motivations begin in the wrong place.
So when we consider the Golden Rule and teach it to others, let’s also remember our motivation for following it. It’s not to be a good person, make others feel good, or get some form of reward. Christ calls for us to follow it because it will be a natural desire for anyone pursuing a holy God. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we will find a drive and motivation for treating others how we want to be treated, and love God even more as we are constantly reminded of how much better He treats those of us who don’t deserve it.
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
