3904 38th Street NW Canton, Ohio 44718
330-492-5523 Fax: 330-493-7119
“The Golden Rule ”
(Matthew 7:7-12 )
I. Introduction.
A. Of the six verses of Matthew 7:7-12, one stands out as one
of the most universally famous statements of Jesus. In this
one verse, Matthew 7:12 – what is generally called the
“Golden Rule” – this whole discourse, the “Sermon On The
Mount”, reaches its summit, its peak. (Barkley – “The
Everest Of Ethics”).
1. Most often quoted apart from what precedes and
follows it in the text.
2. But, really, Jesus puts the command to treat others
as we want to be treated in the context of prayer.
(verses 7-11).
B. The observance of this command becomes one of the
conditions of acceptable prayer, along with a forgiving
heart, repeated seeking of God’s favors and blessings, and a
general submissiveness to the will of God.
1. Jesus, first, answers the question of what kind of
God we pray to. He’s a God who hears our pleas
and who doesn’t need to be coerced to answer our
prayers.
2. Second, God does not mock us, by giving us things
that are not good for us. Rather, He is ready to
“. . . give good things to those who ask Him!”
(verse 11).
3. In these verses, there is a lesson: God will answer
our prayers, but He will answer them in His way,
and in His time. And that way will be one of
perfect wisdom, and perfect love.
-2-
a. At times, if God answered our prayers as
we, at the moment, desire, it would be the
worst possible thing for us.
b. In our ignorance, we often ask for things
which would be our ruin.
c. In His wisdom and His love, God answers
us in the way that is for our good – whether
we realize it or not.
4. A third subject Jesus addresses is what obligations
prayer places upon us.
a. In the Greek language, are two kinds of
imperatives: the “aorist”, which issues one
definite specific command, and the
“present,” which issues a command that a
person should always do, or go on doing.
1. For example, an aorist imperative
would be: “Shut the door behind
you.” (Single command for specific
action).
2. To put that same phrase in the
present imperative, you’d say:
“Always shut doors behind you.”
b. Jesus uses the present imperative in verses
7 and following: “Go on asking; go on
seeking; go on knocking.” Never be
discouraged in your prayer life.
c. Do we really want something? Bring it
repeatedly into the presence of God.
(Re-READ verse 8 using words “keeps on”
in front of each phrase).
-3-
5. God will always answer our prayers in the right way
for us, based upon His will for us. We know how to
do good, but don’t always do it. God, will surely do
that which is both good and right.
C. That brings us to the command of verse 12. Again, in the
present imperative, we are told to always do what is good
and right. That’s the way we expect to be treated; that’s the
way we must treat others.
1. This verse has been parodied in a variety of ways.
One writer said: “Do unto the other fellow the way
he’d like to do to you – and do it first!”
2. Another line goes: “Do unto others as they would
do to you, if they had a chance!”
3. Or, from a misquoted answer in a children’s Bible
class: “Do one to others before they do one to you.”
4. But, in Matthew 7:12 we come up against a
principle that, if followed, is the very essence of
discipleship, and the will of God.
II. Four Things About The “Golden Rule.”
A. It’s impossible to cite rabbinic parallels for almost every-
thing Jesus said in the “Sermon On The Mount,” except for
this key statement. This was something new – a new view
of life and of life’s obligations.
1. If we were to truly live by this teaching, what a
much better world this would be, for us and for
everyone else.
2. The principle is so simple it is easily discounted.
(“Oh, that doesn’t really work.”) But, to live by
this principle is to obtain something of great
value – more valuable than gold itself.
-4-
B. Briefly, look at four (4) points about the “Golden Rule.”
1. First, it is necessary. It’s given as a command, not
an option. If we’re to live as God wants us to, we
must follow this rule. If we’re to receive “good
gifts” from God, we must follow this rule.
a. Here is a rule that has a bearing on all
personal relationships from the time
we’re very young, through old age. Respect
others; give to others as you would want
others to give to you; help others, as you’d
want to be helped.
b. All of this is certainly good. But, it’s also
demanding. We are to actively do to others
what we want them to do for us.
c. It’s one thing to say, “I must not injure
people” or “I must not do to them what I’d
object to their doing to me.” It’s quite
another matter to think: “I must go out of
my way to help other people and to be kind
to them, as I’d wish them to help and be
kind to me.”
2. Number two, the “Golden Rule” is practical.
a. The fact is – it does work! It’s not just an
untested, unproven theory, but a proven
principle of relationships.
b. We’re not inclined to do something more
than once if it just doesn’t work. When it
comes to this principle, the problem is not
with the concept, but with the fact that
people haven’t really tried it.
-5-
c. Those who have attempted to make the rule
a part of their lives have come to the
realization it does work! It improves
person relationships.
3. Third, the rule is effective. The selfish person
doubts this; how can doing for others benefit me?
a. Like the child who asked: “Is it true we are
to do good to others?” When he was
assured that this was so, he responded:
“Then what are all the others here for?”
b. What makes the rule effective is that it
creates circumstances that can have a
positive influence on others and encourage
them to do good also.
1. By being forgiving, others may learn
to forgive as well.
2. If we are judging others as we’d
want to be judged, we may receive
the same kind of consideration from
those around us.
3. If we show compassion, we might be
treated compassionately.
c. It’s not that we practice the “Golden Rule”
so as to benefit ourselves, but its
effectiveness can produce that by-product.
4. Lastly, the “Golden Rule” is positive.
-6-
a. There is the idea that we can do good, or at
least be good, simply by not doing evil, or
not being bad. That puts the principle in the
negative. Puts it in realm of a common
sense statement without which no social or
personal relationships would be possible.
b. That we are not to injure anyone else is not a
specifically religious idea; it’s a legal
principle. It can be followed by anyone –
even one who has no belief in God, or
interest in religion.
c. The “Golden Rule” takes the opposite,
positive, approach. We can be an influence
for good in the world by actively doing
good. It’s the idea expressed in James 1:22:
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers
only; . . .”
d. The “Golden Rule” forces us to take the
initiative and to be aggressive in our
Christianity.
C. To obey this command requires we become a different kind
of person with a different focus in life. If people would
follow this command, it would be a different kind of world.
-7-
III. Conclusion.
A. The “Golden Rule” is God’s Will, and God’s Will is for our
good.
B. Others may not always treat us kindly, or properly, but we
can have the certainty of knowing we’ve done what’s right
and what’s pleasing to God. (Romans 12:18: “If it is
possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with
all men.”)
C. There is eternal security in doing what God commands.