The Golden Rule

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” — Matthew 7:12 ESV

In a world filled with division, conflict, and self-interest, the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:12 shine with striking clarity. Often called the Golden Rule, this teaching is one of the simplest and most profound instructions in all of Scripture. It invites us to pause and see others not as obstacles or enemies but as human beings worthy of respect, kindness, and love.

At its core, the Golden Rule is a call to empathy. Jesus asks us to imagine what we would hope for from others and then to extend that same goodness to them. It flips our usual perspective, challenging us to move beyond our comfort and act with compassion. This principle is not about minimum decency but about an active, generous love that mirrors the love God has shown to us.

Other passages in Scripture expand on this same heart. Luke 6:31 echoes it plainly:
“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

But just before that, Jesus goes even deeper by saying:
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:27-28)

This is where the Golden Rule stretches us. It is easy to treat people well when they treat us well, but true Christlike love asks us to reflect grace even to those who hurt us. It is a radical way of living that does not depend on how others behave but on how God calls us to behave.

Paul, too, points us back to this same truth in Romans 13:8-10:
“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law... Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

Love, then, is the law summed up in one word. The Golden Rule is love in action. It demands we shift from a self-centered life to a life centered on others, led by compassion, humility, and mercy.

If we practiced the Golden Rule with sincere hearts, our families, workplaces, and communities would look radically different. Arguments would soften, grudges would shrink, and divisions could begin to heal. Jesus gave us these words because He knew they could transform the world, one person at a time.

So today, pause and ask yourself: how would I want to be treated? Then go and do likewise. That is the heart of God’s kingdom. That is the Golden Rule.