“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
7:12
Therefore,
The “therefore” indicates that the Father is a giver of good things (previous verses). We follow Him in giving to others. If God was generous to us, then we should be generous to others.
whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them,
The principle of reciprocity is the “Golden Rule.” Practice of this principle demonstrates love for others. The onus lies on the believer to examine how he would like to be treated by others and then apply what he finds to others.
for this is the Law and the Prophets.
We find the “Golden Rule” principle implied in the Old Testament.
PRINCIPLE:
The principle of self-determined reciprocity is part of the kingdom.
APPLICATION:
Christ’s “Golden Rule” is that what we want others to do to us, we do to them. This is the principle of self-determined reciprocity. We Christians deal with others by keeping their interests in view. In doing this, we meet our own interests. This involves not only not doing something to them but doing something for them.
