The Golden Rule

The golden rule – treat others the way you want to be treated. Summarizing the sermon on the mount – this powerful principle covers much.

Overview

Matt 7:12; Luke 6:31

  • Introduction
  • With God’s commandments
  • Worldwide harmony
  • As Sermon Summary

Discussion

Objectives

To understand how the golden rule summarizes

  • The law
  • The sermon on the mount

To apply it to our personal lives

Bible Passage

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matt 7:12

The Golden Rule is a summation of Christ’s sermon on the mount in the preceding verses and chapters.

Cross references

Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31

Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law. Romans 13:8

Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law. Romans 13:10

The entire Law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself. “Galatians 5:14

If you really keep the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. James 2:8

First four commandments- Honour God

Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.

4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image..

7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain,

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Exodus 20

Last six commandments - Honour others

12 “Honor your father and your mother…

13 “You shall not murder.

14 “You shall not commit adultery.

15 “You shall not steal.

16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

17 “You shall not covet …Exodus 20

Derivations of the Golden Rule

Give God his due place

Treat others as you want them to treat you

As you want God to treat you.

Harmony

The heavenly bodies are in alignment.

The Trinity is in Alignment

When we are in harmony with God…

We are in harmony with each other

Why Is Creation groaning?

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8:22

It’s all about perfection, not patchwork.

It’s all about giving, not receiving.

A perfection – only possible through Christ.

God is our rewarder

God gives as we give(6:4)

God forgives as we forgive (6:12)

God rewards as we love (5:47)

God judges as we judge (7:1)

Love as God has loved (5:44,45)

God blesses as we bless (5:7-11)

Be perfect as God is perfect (5:48)

And many more…..

Sermon Summary

Beattitudes – Attitude to God and others, result

Salt and Light – Sharing God effectively

Christ fulfilling the law in the Spirit of the law with obedience and harmony

Spirit of the Law regarding:

Lust –  in thought

Oaths – respect and fear God before promising

Retaliation – even in word or thought is harmful

Love your enemies – deep from your heart

Sermon Summary(cont’d..)

Giving –  give as you want to be given

Prayer- relationship, forgive as you want to be forgiven

Fasting – relationship with God

Treasures in heaven – heavenly investments yield heavenly rewards

Anxiety – Fill yourself with God, God will fulfill your needs

Judging – Judge as you want to be judged

Ask, seek, knock – Live God’s way, lead God’s way

Discussion

1.How does the golden rule cover and sum up all rules?

2.How does the golden rule (which appears to be interpersonal) affect our relationship, reward with God?

3.How can we wrong others in thoughts, words and deeds ie. not treated them as we want to be treated?

4.What are some gaps in our lives with respect to the Golden rule. How can we fill them?

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