The Golden Rule: Do Unto Others…
Copyright 2008 Heaven Ministries

It’s a simple concept, really. Throughout the bible “treat others with kindness” is taught.

Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31 NIV)

In marriage, treating your spouse in the way you would like to be treated is an excellent idea. If the golden rule were followed in our marriages the divorce rate would certainly decline. You never heard of a spouse treating their loved one with disrespect because that is the way they want to be treated back, have you? But that is exactly what happens. Disrespect begets disrespect in almost every instance.

Treat your spouse with respect and appreciation and they in return will treat you back with the same respect. Admit your faults! Admit you have a part in problems of the marriage, and watch your spouse admit they are also to blame. Don’t do anything against the boundaries of marriage that you wouldn’t want your spouse to do to you.

In the Christian community, love your brothers and sisters in the Lord. So what’s so hard about that? Many Christian’s are intolerant of each other. It is very much like a bunch of school kids bullying each other in the playground. The funny thing is, they are intolerant of one another even though both are believers in the same God. Do you really think this is the way Christians are to treat other Christians? I don’t believe so.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave no free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28 NIV)

When we allow our differences to separate us from other believers, we are actually ignoring clear biblical teaching. Not everyone will be like us, think like us, believe like us, and behave like us, so in that respect, we must accept people for who they are. If we look for flaws in others, all the while thinking we have no flaws, then we are dead wrong in our thinking.  Intolerance is the biggest flaw of them all.

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. (Ephesians 2:14 NIV)

Love your neighbor as yourself. Wow! This sounds like a great idea, don’t you think? Christian’s are taught to forgive and love one another in Jesus Christ. But I see quite the opposite at times. Christian’s are suing other Christian’s. There is no forgiveness in Christian marriages. Believers are very intolerable of those who are different than them in the form of hate and malice. So do we love our neighbor like we are supposed to?

What did Jesus mean when he said, “Love your neighbor as yourself”? Christians are instructed to love others, but not their sin. The love between God and Jesus is the perfect example of how we are to love others.

That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you have given me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:21-23 NIV)