Jesus gave us the Golden Rule in his Sermon on the Mount: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7.12 KJV)
The Golden Rule has become famous both within and outside the body of Christian believers because in the minds of many, it boils the whole Christian experience down to one simple axiom: “Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you”.
So we’re to treat everyone nicely no matter what, right? For the most part yes, but keep in mind that Jesus wasn’t always the politest guy in the room: He tipped over the tables when he saw buying and selling in the temple (Matthew 21.12). There are times to take a stand against certain behaviors. How then, are we to know what to do?
Loving God comes first
Love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and is even described in 1 John 4.7-8 as the key evidence of whether or not an individual even knows God. The Bible also admonishes us however, to “Preach the word… Reprove, rebuke and exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4.2-4). The answer is to remember that loving GOD is the first and greatest commandment. Sometimes loving God includes saying things to other people that – while in their best eternal interest – aren’t pleasing for them to hear.
The Golden Rule is fine, but always be cautious about applying the Bible’s lists of vices and virtues on our own, rather than listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The object is to always be a tool in God’s hand, rather than a performer of righteous works that you’ve read in the Bible. Obeying lists is religion that can happen without God. Obeying the Holy Spirit is the normal Christian life. Unfortunately, many Christians miss that distinction and spend their well-intended lives accumulating wood, hay and stubble, rather than gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3.12-13).
In the end, the safest path is to #1 – Study the Bible to learn God’s ways. #2 – Abide in Christ in faith, and obey the Holy Spirit’s promptings in every situation. The Pharisees challenged Jesus when he healed on the sabbath. He replied saying, “I saw my father work, and I did work”. That, and not obeying lists, should be the example for every Christian’s daily experience.