The Sermon On The Mount - The Golden Rule (Mt 7:12)

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                        "THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT"

                        The Golden Rule (Mt 7:12)

INTRODUCTION

1. We come now to verse 12, where we find the "GOLDEN RULE"...

2. This "rule" serves as a perfect summary of the kind of righteousness
   the kingdom of heaven expects in respect to MAN'S RELATION TO MAN

[But what is the "golden rule"?  Was Jesus teaching anything new or
original by what He stated?  Well, in a way it was something new...]

I. THE "GOLDEN RULE" VERSUS THE "SILVER RULES"

   A. MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE JESUS WAS SIMPLY REPEATING WHAT OTHERS HAD
      ALREADY TAUGHT; FOR EXAMPLE...

      1. The HINDU religion taught:

         This is the sum of duty:  do naught to others which if done
         to thee would cause thee pain.
                                          The Mahabharata

      2. The BUDDHIST religion taught:

         Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.

                                          Udana-Varga

      3. The JEWISH traditions taught:

         What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow men.  That is
         the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.

                                          The Talmud

      4. The MUSLIM religion taught:

         No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother
         that which he desires for himself.

                                          Hadith

      5. The BAHA'I faith teaches:

         He should not wish for others that which he doth not wish
         for himself, nor promise that which he doth not fulfil.

                                          The Book of Certitude

      6. And Yet Some Other Sources:

         Do not do unto others what angers you if done to you by
         others.
                                          Isocrates 436-338 BCE

         "Tzu-kung asked, 'Is there a single word which can be a guide
         to conduct throughout one's life?' The Master said, 'It is
         perhaps the word "shu".  Do not impose on others what you
         yourself do not desire'"
                                          Analects, 15.24

   B. BUT JESUS' "RULE" WAS POSITIVE, WHILE MOST OF THE ABOVE ARE NOT...
      1. Jesus' "rule" requires you to do something favorably to others,
         while the others only prohibit you from doing something
         unfavorably to others!
         a. Jesus -> Do unto others what you want them to do to you
         b. Others - > Don't do to others what you don't want done to
                       you
      2. With the others, all that is required is that you don't harm
         other people; with Jesus, what is required is that you show
         kindness to others
      3. Jesus' rule is truly the GOLDEN rule, the others are SILVER
         rules (of value, yes, but not as much as "gold")

[The only exception appears to be that found in Hadith (the traditions
of Islam); but then, some of Islam is admittedly based upon what Jesus
taught 600 years before Mohammed.

So what Jesus taught was something new compared to what "uninspired"
teachers had taught prior.

But in another sense it was nothing new; rather, in a simple and easy to
remember statement, Jesus gives us...]

II. A GUIDELINE FOR RIGHTEOUS CONDUCT TOWARDS OTHERS

   A. THAT WAS IN PERFECT HARMONY WITH THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS!
      1. Just as we have seen in the rest of Jesus' teachings (cf. Mt
         5:21-48)
      2. This one "rule" summarizes what the Law and the Prophets were
         all about
      3. Just as the commandment "Love your neighbor as yourself"
         summed up the Law according to Paul - Ro 13:8-10

   B. A SORT OF "POCKET KNIFE" OR "CARPENTER'S RULE"...
      1. That is, something that is always ready to be used
      2. For example, even in an emergency, when there is no time to
         consult a friend, teacher, or book for advice, the "golden
         rule" can be guide for proper conduct
      3. Treat others as you would be treated, and it is unlikely you
         will ever do the wrong thing

CONCLUSION

1. Even in this way, we find that Jesus did not come to "destroy" the
   Law, but to fulfill it in every way, including summarizing its
   righteousness in ways easy for us to understand and apply!

2. Throughout the first twelve verses of Matthew 7, then, there is a
   continuous theme:  the righteousness of the kingdom in regards to
   man's dealings with man

3. And what are the basic points?
   a. Be careful in your judgment of others
   b. Persevere in looking to God for help in making proper discernment
   c. In your treatment of others, treat them like you want to be
      treated

In our next (and last) study, we will consider the final section of the
Sermon On The Mount: THE EXHORTATION TO ENTER THE KINGDOM - Mt 7:13-27
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