The Golden Rule

Let’s talk about the Golden Rule. Most people say, “Oh, I’m a good person. I live by the Golden Rule. I treat people how I want to be treated.” Jesus said that loving your neighbor as you love yourself is the summary of the Ten Commandments. So we are going to take a look at a few of them to see if you indeed do live by the Golden Rule.

Have you ever told a lie? What does that make you?

Have you ever stolen anything—even if it’s small? What does that make you?

Have you ever hated anyone? Most people say, “No,” but when you ask them if they have ever insulted anyone or cursed at someone, they say, “Yes.” Well, that’s not exactly loving your neighbor as you love yourself, is it?

Now, here is what the Bible says about all this:

“…and all liars shall have their part in the Lake of Fire.” (Revelation 21:8)

“No…thief…shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

“He who hates his brother is a murderer, and we know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15).

So, if the Ten Commandments are God’s standard for the Golden Rule (and Jesus said that they are), how will you really do on Judgment Day?

If you are honest, you will admit that you deserve to go to Hell, just like the rest of us. And if you can admit that, then I have some Great News for you: God does not want you to go to Hell. God sent Jesus to die for our sins, so that all of our sins—past, present, and future—can be forgiven. But we must come to God for forgiveness, and Jesus said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:5)

Do you know what it means to repent? Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who covers his sins shall not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins shall obtain mercy.” Confession is simply admitting to God that you have broken His Laws by the way that you have lived (by lying, stealing, hating, etc.); forsaking is simply turning away from and abandoning that way of life. Doesn’t mean that you’ll be perfect, but it does mean that you will daily increase in Holiness.

Jesus said, “If you continue in My Word, then you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32) Please read your Bible daily and obey what you read. God will never fail to keep any of His promises.