Practice the Golden Rule

Note from today’s Bible reading: Luke 6

One of the more well-known teachings of Jesus is often referred to as the “golden rule.” We are to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. It is based on Jesus statement: “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you” (Luke 6:31).

This is a fairly simple concept to understand. If we would want others to do good to us, we should do good to them. If we would not appreciate others treating us in a certain way, we should not treat them in that way either.

However, while this is a simple concept, we sometimes fail to apply it as broadly as the Lord expects. Jesus continued: “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them” (Luke 6:32). Just after this, He would instruct His disciples, “Love your enemies” (Luke 6:35).

It is easy to treat others well when we expect them to reciprocate or when they have already done good to us. It is more of a challenge to do good to those who harm, oppose, ignore, annoy, or ridicule us. Yet this is what the Lord has called us to do.

So practice the golden rule. We should not wait for others to treat us well before we do so to them. Instead, we should do good to others even if they have never or will never do good to us.