The Golden Rule
By M.T. Clark — P-2112 | 11/04/2026 – Today’s Audio Podcast
Today’s Message on YouTube:
Today’s photo of a vast stained-glass dome with an ornate chandelier hanging below it and arched marble entryways at the base comes to us from yours truly, as I captured this view at the Chicago Cultural Center in Chicago, IL, on October 7, 2023.
Well, it’s Wednesday, and I share this photo to visually represent our arrival to another midweek summit, so happy hump day, and to remind us that God’s design for how we treat each other is as beautiful and purposeful as any dome man ever built.
It’s amazing what people can do when they pool their efforts, talents, and creativity. Together, we can create things that go beyond our individual talents, demonstrate the beauty of community, and give glory to God. The Lord made us in His image, and when we create things of beauty, individually or collectively, we unwittingly give evidence for His goodness, beauty, and majesty.
Likewise, our relationships are where God’s attributes of mercy, grace, and love can be on full display. When we are at peace with one another and contribute to each other’s well-being and growth, we reflect God’s love and His will for our lives. Speaking of treating one another the way that God would want us to…
Our series, “The Beatitudes,” continues today as Jesus condenses the entire ethical teaching of the Old Testament into a single sentence.
The Golden Rule
Jesus closes His long teaching about how we are to come before God the Father with a single-sentence summarizing how we are to handle each other. In Matthew 7:12 (NKJV), Jesus tells us:
“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
The word “therefore” prompts us to take action. Jesus has told us that God the Father is generous with His children, that He gives good gifts to those who ask, and that He loves us the way a good father loves his kids. The next word out of Jesus’s mouth is “therefore,” which calls us to take what we have learned about how God treats us and to use it in how we treat the people around us.
Then Jesus gives us what has been called the Golden Rule: treat other people the way you want to be treated. Do to them what you’d want them to do to you.
One thing we should point out here is that Jesus’s version of this rule is ACTIVE. Other religions and philosophies of life have a version of this rule that is negative. These other systems tell us to “don’t do to others what you don’t want done to you” or simply “do no harm”. That’s a rule about restraint. Jesus’s version is a rule about being a force for God’s kingdom – doing His will on earth. Christians don’t stop at avoiding harm. Christ’s followers are to actively do good.
So, picture the people you’ve been struggling with lately, whether that’s coworkers who are difficult to work with, family members who disappoint you, or friends who haven’t called in a while. Then ask yourself what you’d want them to do if the roles were reversed. Would you want them to send you a text, give you the benefit of the doubt, pray for you, or forgive you?
Jesus’s rule is simple. Whatever answer comes to mind, go and do that for them.
Jesus’s final word in this passage is an eye-opener. “This is the Law and the Prophets.” Jesus is telling us that if we lived this one line, this one command of kindness, we’d be fulfilling everything the Old Testament ever asked of us to do. The whole Old Testament’s ethical teaching comes down to this one thing: actively loving the people God puts in front of us.
So, treat somebody today the way you wish somebody would treat you. Make that call. Send that text. Offer that kind word. Forgive those who have offended you. That’s how Jesus wants us to live.
Remember, every step we take toward the Lord is a step in the right direction. So, keep on walking and talking with God.
— M.T.
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Wrestling with something today? Ask M.T.’s Digital Mind any time, day or night: mt4christ.com/digital-mind
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“The views, opinions, and commentary of this publication are those of the author, M.T. Clark, only, and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of any of the photographers, artists, ministries, or other authors of the other works that may be included in this publication, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities the author may represent.”
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