The Golden Rule and the Narrow Path

The Golden Rule: A Principle for Daily Living

In view of God’s generosity to us, treating others in the manner we would like ourselves to be treated is the least we can do. 
—Craig Blomberg, Matthew, vol. 22, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 130–131.

In my previous post, I explored Jesus’ encouragement to ask, seek, and knock and God’s promise to provide for all of our needs. The very next verse records Jesus’ teaching, which is known as the golden rule.

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
— Matthew 7:12 NKJV

This may seem like a random phrase that does not belong there, but I believe that the context of God providing for all of our needs is exactly what we need to help make us willing to do to others what we would like for them to do unto us.

On the assurance of the love of God toward us, Jesus enjoins love to one another, in one comprehensive principle covering all the relations of human fellowship.
— Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing p.134.

I have heard several variations of the golden rule and met people who live by these different versions. For example, some people believe in “do unto others before they do unto you.” They’re not much fun to be around.

Others live by a different version of the golden rule: "He who has the gold makes all the rules.” These people are also not great to be around.

While working on this post, I came across the Platinum Rule: “Treat others the way they want to be treated.” This makes sense, especially to all of us who have had someone come and “help us” but, in the process, only made our work more difficult.

On a more serious note, there are many parallels to this “rule” that appear in the history of religion. The negative form is in Tobit 4:15. It was used by Hillel, Philo, Isocrates, Confucius. (A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933), For a full list of parallels, see V. P. Furnish, The Love Commandment in the New Testament (Nashville: Abingdon, 1972), 63.)

“Most of these parallels phrase the rule negatively (sometimes called the “silver rule”), implying, “Don’t do to others what you don’t want them to do to you.”  (Blomberg, 131) Mounce has a great insight regarding this: “In its negative form, the Golden Rule could be satisfied by doing nothing. The positive form moves us to action on behalf of others.” (Mounce, Matthew, 63)

You can legislate against people doing to others what they would not want done to themselves. That is one of the ways of making a fair society. But you can never legislate to bring about what Jesus is teaching. That generous attitude of going out of your way to encourage the depressed, to forgive those who have wronged you, and to help the disadvantaged requires positive action, often self-sacrificial action. You don’t do that to fulfil some law. You do it only if the love of the kingdom burns in your heart.
—Michael Green, The Message of Matthew: The Kingdom of Heaven, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001), 107.

What Jesus is teaching us through His Sermon on the Mount, and in the way He lived His life on earth, is that even negative commands require positive action. For example, in Matthew 5:21–26 (It Begins in The Heart), even if we succeed in not murdering and in not hating or verbally abusing others, we still have not completely obeyed until we earnestly seek the well-being of others. With its reference to “the Law and the Prophets,” Mathew 7:12 ties back in with Matthew 5:17 and provides a proper perspective to interpret and apply the Law and the Prophets (The Old Testament).

Our main concern as followers of Jesus should not be what we will receive or how much we will gain in this life but rather how much we can give. 

How can we best use what God has given us to help alleviate the suffering of those around us?

“In your association with others, put yourself in their place. Enter into their feelings, their difficulties, their disappointments, their joys, and their sorrows. Identify yourself with them, and then do to them as, were you to exchange places with them, you would wish them to deal with you. This is the true rule of honesty.”
— Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing p134.

I have heard the golden rule referred to as a principle of heaven. As such, all who desire to enjoy holy companionship will benefit from cultivating that principle. The golden rule is best exemplified in the life of Jesus. He is our greatest example, and we see how blessings flowed to those around Him. As followers of Jesus, we should remind the world of our Master by living as He did.

Any form of Christianity that falls short of the Golden Rule is at best a deception. When men and women claim to follow Jesus and take up the title of ‘Christian’ yet fail to care for human needs, suffering, or rights, such a person is blaspheming the name of Christ. 

At our church in Boise, we have a ministry called HUB 365. It is a place where we can live out our Christianity and minister to our community. It is not meant to convert people to a specific set of beliefs. It is meant to help people. We do not help others expecting anything in return. If they become interested and desire to learn more about God and the Bible we are here to offer guidance. If they have no interest in God, spiritual growth, or our faith, we continue to treat them well and help with their felt needs. We volunteer and help because that is what Jesus did while here on earth.

I have this blog and podcast to help people. I share things that I would love for others to share with me. I share Jesus with others for their benefit, not mine. I know the amazing changes Jesus has brought and continues to bring about in my life. A close relationship with Jesus is the most valuable thing any human can have.

The next clearest picture of the Golden Rule in practice is the one we see in the early church, as described in Acts.

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
— Acts 4:32 NKJV

Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
— Acts 4:34 NKJV

And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
— Acts 4:33 NKJV

So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
— Acts 2:46 NKJV

praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
— Acts 2:47 NKJV

We are amazed and inspired by these accounts of the early church. But could it be that such a reality also scares us? Could this be the reason why, perhaps deep down inside, we are afraid of revival and being filled with the Holy Spirit? Because what if God moves us in such a way as to cause us to give up our favorite things for the benefit of the least of these?

Search heaven and earth, and there is no truth revealed more powerful than that which is made manifest in works of mercy to those who need our sympathy and aid. This is the truth as it is in Jesus. When those who profess the name of Christ shall practice the principles of the golden rule, the same power will attend the gospel as in apostolic times.
—Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing p137.

Treating others the way we would want them to treat us if we were in their situation is such a revolutionary thought, it goes against our nature with such intensity that many disregard it. We like our comforts, we like our plans, we are not very eager to surrender it all and this brings us to Jesus’ next point.

Narrow is the Gate?

13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
— Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV

If all we have to do is ask, seek, and knock, how can the gate be narrow and the path difficult? (Mathew 7:14) Because the golden rule excludes all pride and selfishness. All the promises remain true, the power of God Himself is made available to us, and we have no reason to fail, except our selfishness keeps us from living out God’s plan for our lives. How often do we miss out on blessings, and those around us continue to suffer because of our selfishness?

The percentage of true believers in places and times in which being “Christian” is popular is perhaps not that different from the percentage of Christians in times of persecution, when few dare to profess who are not deeply committed.
—Craig Blomberg, Matthew, vol. 22, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 132.

I started listening to Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell and he has a section on Medicare fraud, it blew my mind. The way that people cheat the system (Medicare and Medicaid) to the tune of an estimated $100 Billion. Think of how many lives could have been saved and how many people could be helped with that much money! $100 Billion taken by selfish people who simply see an opportunity to cheat the system and get rich. I often wonder how much suffering is caused by human selfishness.

Similarly, we try to help people and struggle at times telling apart the real need from scammers who see churches and Christians as an easy target. Possibly because we are so eager to help. Helping others can be difficult, but it is not impossible and it does not give us the permission to simply not do it.

When you cling to besetting sin, you will find the way too narrow for you to enter. You cannot take your favorite sin to heaven. Ask, seek, knock, turn to God, but do not make excuses for sin. 

Here, then, is the first test: Did your profession of faith in Christ cost you anything? If not, then it was not a true profession. Many people who “trust” Jesus Christ never leave the broad road with its appetites and associations. They have an easy Christianity that makes no demands on them. Yet Jesus said that the narrow way was hard. We cannot walk on two roads, in two different directions, at the same time.
—Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 31.

Fair warning, I am about to go on a personal rant.

We often hear sermons about the sins that afflict youth, especially young women. Those of you who grew up in church, how often have you heard someone from the pulpit talk about the music that young people listen to? Have you ever heard people talk about and against Rock and Roll and Hip Hop? About baggy, saggy pants—I am dating myself here—or about tight and short outfits for ladies?

How often have you heard about the dangers of violent video games and movies?

By the way, I think it should be obvious to any sincere Christian that there is a problem with sin as a form of entertainment. (When you are entertained by sinful behavior whether depicted in movies, music, games, or other media.)

Also, I have a personal theory that it is easy for middle-aged men (those speaking from the pulpit tend to be middle-aged men) to talk about sins that no longer tempt them. As someone who just turned 41, I feel much more comfortable speaking against the evils of Disney, Hollywood, and whatever the latest trend in music and entertainment is. I don’t find movies as appealing as I once did, popular music does not have much of a draw to me, and Punk Rock and Hip Hop have more of a nostalgic effect on me. I can stand here and type or stand before the church and preach how these things are destroying our youth as if they earned their salvation by avoiding such evils. I can do this easily because these are not the sins I currently struggle with.

However, I prefer to lift up Jesus and point others to Him. I know that as we behold Jesus the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. Also, we are saved by what Jesus did and does for us, and not by how good we are at avoiding the wrong forms of entertainment.

Also, those of us who are 40 and older can feel pretty good. I am not listening to Heavy Metal or Gangster Rap, I am not going to the movie theaters (this was a thing when I was growing up), and I am not dressing provocatively. Suddenly, I feel pretty good about myself. I am avoiding the terrible sins the preacher spoke against. Good thing the preacher did not talk about how I treat my spouse, my employees, or my children. Meanwhile, I can’t even remember the last time I volunteered to help someone in need, whether it was our food pantry, thrift store, the Boise Rescue mission, our Pathfinder or Adventurer Club, or helped when the men of the church were called upon to clan a yard or help someone move.

If I am not careful I can develop an air of superiority because I do not dress provocatively, smoke, drink, or do drugs. I can look down on the person who is struggling with visible sins, and forget about my hidden sins. Since nobody knows about my hidden sins I must be superior to those who are sinning openly. 

Just to help clarify, I am not saved by avoiding sin. I am saved by what Jesus did on the cross. I do not save myself, I do not add to my salvation, and I do not purchase blessings by my good actions. However, when I make excuses for my sins and hold on to something that Jesus wants to set me free from, it becomes a problem. If you are struggling with a problem, do not lose hope; do not give up, but also be honest with yourself. 

If you are trying to beat an addiction, if you are trying to quit, but you keep a stash just in case, you’re not really trying to quit. Delete the account, delete the app, delete the contact on your phone, change your phone number, get an accountability partner, flush the substance down the toilet or down the drain, get help, tell someone you trust and who is able to help you. 

Also, the way you dress says something about you, it sends a message. What you choose for entertainment will influence you. I am not downplaying those points, I am just highlighting the dangers of only mentioning the visible sins that tend to affect young people and more specifically women.

For example, the religious leaders of Jesus’ time were not committing any of the visible sins, yet they were the ones who made sure Jesus was crucified by the Romans. When we create a checklist, we are in danger of creating a false sense of security. We begin to think God will save us because we follow the checklist so well, and not because of His great mercy and grace.

How often have people been pushed out of church because they didn’t get their act together fast enough? How often have stumbling blocks been placed in the way of those who were desperately seeking Jesus by well-meaning Christians with a list in hand? I have met Christians who are dedicated to keeping the church pure by making sure only people who can pass the checklist are allowed.

I am not saying the list is bad; I am saying that if you lead people to Jesus, the list will take care of itself. Can you allow the Holy Spirit to convict people, and change their taste, and their behavior? Meanwhile, focus on your personal walk with God, what is God calling you to surrender to Him?

“…difficult is the way which leads to life…”

I am not saying it will be easy, I am asking you to stop making excuses for the sin that is holding you back from living your best life. This secret sin is keeping everyone around you from receiving the blessings God wants them to receive through you. Your loved ones miss out when you cherish a secret sin.

All this talk of denying self and living for Christ may seem daunting, impossible, and too difficult. In one way yes, it is impossible. Except Jesus wants to save you and wants to set you free and use you to bless those around you. But perhaps you consider this and you do not want to give up a life guided by ambition and selfish desires. You long for power and wealth and you have determined to get it at any cost. Perhaps the downward path of selfish indulgence seems more appealing. Sin is often appealing, but the pleasure turns to sand in your mouth. Partaking of the substance may feel good for a bit, but afterward, you feel worse, the shortcut, cheating, lying, and deception, never feel as good as you anticipated. Not to mention that Satan will often let you climb to the top, before exposing your sin to everyone around you, causing everything to come crashing down. The secret sin had no victims until the day it took everything you have and all you loved most in life.

God’s way is not easy, but it is the best way because God wants what is best for you. Trust Him. Everything that God asks you to give up is for your benefit in the end. God not only wants what’s best for you, He also knows what’s best for you.

But the path of the just is like the shining sun,
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
—Proverbs 4:18 NKJV

The path of the just is not described as easy, but it leads to better things, to light and life. The downward path of the sinner, on the other hand, leads to death and destruction.

“We may think it pleasant to follow pride and worldly ambition, but the end is pain and sorrow. Selfish plans may present flattering promises and hold out the hope of enjoyment, but we shall find that our happiness is poisoned and our life embittered by hopes that center in self. In the downward road the gateway may be bright with flowers, but thorns are in the path. The light of hope which shines from its entrance fades into the darkness of despair, and the soul who follows that path descends into the shadows of unending night.”
—Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing p.139.

Our victory comes from God

I do not want you to think that you have to gain victory by your own efforts, discipline, and self-control. God alone can give us the victory. He desires us to have mastery over ourselves, our own will and ways. But God will not work in us without our consent and co-operation. God will not force His will on you, He will not save you against your will. God wants us to cooperate with Him.

 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
—Philippians 2:12-13 NKJV

Are you willing to be made willing? Even our desire to obey God comes from Him. We obey God because He enables us to do so.

Perhaps you desire to be freed from the slavery of sin. Maybe you have been trying in your own strength to make a stand against your sinful behavior. Maybe you look toward the narrow way and the strait gate; but selfish pleasure, love of the world, pride, and unsanctified ambition, place a barrier between you and the Savior. The idea of renouncing your selfish goals and ambitions keeps you from completely surrendering yourself to Christ. 

Your only hope of dying to self is to unite your will with God’s will for your life, turn to Him day by day, and receive from Him the victories He desires for you to experience. 

Takeaway

When we focus on seeking Jesus daily and surrendering to Him every step of the way Jesus teaches us how to best minister to those around us. Instead of showing someone the checklist and demanding they adhere to it, we will approach them with a desire to mentor, help, and encourage them. Discipleship happens best in the context of a relationship. People need mentors, and coaches, not inspectors. Invest in the relationship. Focus on your relationship with Jesus, and develop healthy relationships with those around you.