The Golden Rule

Treat people the way you want to be treated

We’ve all heard this saying a million times. But are you actually listening to it?  Are you really treating people the way you WANT to be treated, or are you treating them based on how you think they deserve to be treated? Maybe they cut in front of you at the supermarket and you get snarky with them.  Maybe it’s a car that forgets to yield to you and you lay on your horn and throw a few curse words at them.  Maybe someone is having a bad day and forgets to hold the door open for you as you follow closely behind them, and you mumble under your breath.  Or, maybe someone at the store bumps into you and you rudely tell them “Excuse me!”.  You are treating them based on their actions and how you think they should be treated when you feel like you’ve been wronged by them. 

That is not what this means.  Matthew 7:12 reads “In everything, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law of the Prophets.”  You have to ask yourself, “How do I want others to treat me?”  You should “Love your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your mind.”  (Matthew 22:37-39).  Loving God’s people is showing your love for God, and of God.  Loving God’s people brings you closer to being like God, which is what we should strive to do.

Ask yourself, “How can I model this Christ-like attitude toward others?”  Philippians 2:-3-5 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit…”  Don’t judge and treat others in a bad attitude because you feel they have wronged you.  They will have to face their own judgment one day for their attitudes.  Respect is given because you desire the same respect for yourself. It is not earned.  Everyone needs a savior, so share the truth with them by your actions. 

Ask yourself, “Do I demonstrate Chris by how I treat others?”  If not, then why?  This is the goal.  John 13:34-35 tells us to “love one another just as I have loved you.” It doesn’t say “Love one another based on how they show love for you.” It says “just as I have loved you”. We have sinned in God’s eyes every single day.  And he still loves us unconditionally and uncontrollably and is there for us when we need them.

Even if you are not a Christian, this is a good attitude to portray to others.  Treat people the way you WANT to be treated. Not how you judged that they deserve to be treated.  You are not the judge and jury.  Do not assume they are guilty and be rude.

This was a great Sunday lesson for me to hear. I’ve heard this so many times.  But I often forget to portray this.  When I left church, this was greatly on my mind and I caught myself wanting to be rude to a couple people when I went out shopping, and then I stopped and thought about it. I took a deep breath, and smiled.  If I can’t say something nice, I can at least smile at them when they push me or run into me with their basket, or cut in front of me at the check-out line.  I don’t have to say anything to them, but I can smile.  A smile goes a long way.