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#TOM 06/01
The Golden Rule -- June 10, 2001
©2001 / Steven A. Michels
55:51 minutes

Click here to listen via RealPlayer

"The Golden Rule"- Rev. Steve Michels

Luke 6:31-38; Galatians 6:8-10; Mark 11:25, 26; James 2:8; Matthew 22:36-40; Proverbs 3:27, 28; Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:43; 19:19; 22:37-40; Mark 12:29-34; Luke 10:26-28; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:13-15; James 2:8, 9; Romans 5:5; 12:17-21; John 13:34, 35; Luke 6:38

Jesus Christ teaches what we know as the Golden Rule in Luke 6 as "all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." Do you want to be loved? Give love. Do you want forgiveness? Be forgiving. Galatians 6 states that what you sow, you will reap. James declares the royal law to be "love thy neighbor as thyself."

The Golden Rule is taught as "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This is a universal code of conduct in most major religions. Some examples of the wording of the Golden Rule include the following. Bahai Faith: "And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself." Buddhism: "Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." Confusianism: "Do not unto others what you would not have them do unto you." Hinduism: "This is the sum of duty: do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you." Islam: "No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself." Jainism: "In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self." Judaism: "What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. That is the law: all the rest is commentary." Native American: "Respect for all life is the foundation." Zoroastrianism: "That nature only is good when it shall not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self." Yoruba Proverb: "One going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts."

The Golden Rule is best interpreted as "treat others only in ways that you are willing to be treated in the same exact situation." If you act in a given way toward another, and yet are unwilling to be treated that same way in the same circumstances, then you violate the rule. The Golden Rule is best seen as a consistency principle. It tests our moral coherence. When we violate it, we violate the spirit of fairness and concern that lies at the heart of morality.

Holy spirit sets Christianity apart from all other religions. Jesus Christ declares in John that his disciples will be known by the love they display towards one another. Romans says the love of God is shed aboard in our hearts by the Holy Spirit given unto us. It gives us an ability to demonstrate the love of God. As we give this love to others, it shall be given unto us in the same measure. With this type of love, the Golden Rule has a new significance.


#TOM 06/01 The Golden Rule -- June 10, 2001 ©2001 / Steven A. Michels 55:51 minutes
Click here to listen via RealPlayer
"The Golden Rule"- Rev. Steve Michels Luke 6:31-38; Galatians 6:8-10; Mark 11:25, 26; James 2:8; Matthew 22:36-40; Proverbs 3:27, 28; Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:43; 19:19; 22:37-40; Mark 12:29-34; Luke 10:26-28; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:13-15; James 2:8, 9; Romans 5:5; 12:17-21; John 13:34, 35; Luke 6:38 Jesus Christ teaches what we know as the Golden Rule in Luke 6 as "all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." Do you want to be loved? Give love. Do you want forgiveness? Be forgiving. Galatians 6 states that what you sow, you will reap. James declares the royal law to be "love thy neighbor as thyself." The Golden Rule is taught as "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This is a universal code of conduct in most major religions. Some examples of the wording of the Golden Rule include the following. Bahai Faith: "And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself." Buddhism: "Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." Confusianism: "Do not unto others what you would not have them do unto you." Hinduism: "This is the sum of duty: do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you." Islam: "No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself." Jainism: "In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self." Judaism: "What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. That is the law: all the rest is commentary." Native American: "Respect for all life is the foundation." Zoroastrianism: "That nature only is good when it shall not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self." Yoruba Proverb: "One going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts." The Golden Rule is best interpreted as "treat others only in ways that you are willing to be treated in the same exact situation." If you act in a given way toward another, and yet are unwilling to be treated that same way in the same circumstances, then you violate the rule. The Golden Rule is best seen as a consistency principle. It tests our moral coherence. When we violate it, we violate the spirit of fairness and concern that lies at the heart of morality. Holy spirit sets Christianity apart from all other religions. Jesus Christ declares in John that his disciples will be known by the love they display towards one another. Romans says the love of God is shed aboard in our hearts by the Holy Spirit given unto us. It gives us an ability to demonstrate the love of God. As we give this love to others, it shall be given unto us in the same measure. With this type of love, the Golden Rule has a new significance.