The most important thing seemingly in the bible from God's point of view is relationships. Throughout it we see God attempting to relate to mankind as Friend and Father. He is our God and our Lord but He is constantly trying to move the relationship along to include closeness and family ties.

The golden rule is one such motif which asks us to relate to each other and to God as you would relate to family. This 'rule' wasn't just given to Christians. When we read the writings of the wise men all over the world we see that God made this known to all peoples.

Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Here Jesus tells us that this 'rule' sums up the Law and the Prophets. It sums up everything that God is and wants men to be although we cannot attain it through our own power! That's what the Law was given to show us. That we need God to be able to love one another perfectly and do His will and Jesus came to enable us to have 'God with us', 24/7, living in and through us to build those relationships.

When you further consider that we live today under the New Covenant, it should make us ask the question, "Is anything different in regard to the 'rule' now?"

The obvious thing that is different is that on accepting Jesus as our Saviour we were given Holy Spirit to live in us bringing us all the power/grace that Jesus had when He was on earth. We have to learn to access this grace by faith but His grace is here with us! So what's "the golden rule" for today.

I would suggest that it's, "In everything, do to others what you would have Jesus do to you, for this sums up the New Covenant".

We can and should do this because Jesus tells us that ...

1 John 4:17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.

So having Holy spirit in us, and having the same authority and power that Jesus had available to Him available to us, should we not be doing what He did? The standard is Jesus!

John 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

We have been given much because of God's love for us. Holy Spirit is in us and should be resting on us. God surely wants us to pass Him on!

Best wishes for Grace and the Peace of Jesus.

Attlee.

Another thought....