“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12
Treat others like you want to be treated. How many times have we spoken these words to our children as they were quarreling, or being selfish over a toy? We call it the Golden Rule, indicating its importance. Many probably learned it as a child in Sunday School.
But Jesus’ words are not just parenting advice or words to memorize in Sunday School. They are not just suggestions to guide children. They are not advice, suggestions or just words at all— this is a command spoken by our Lord to teach us how we should strive to interact with others.
He said in everything treat others like you want to be treated. It is a call to put away our self-centeredness and look at things from another’s view point. It is a call to love even those that irritate us or make us angry. It is a call to guide us in all our relationships — business, family and beyond.
Is it always easy to follow this command? No, but with the help of our Lord and Savior we can strive to do so more often. He will help us each step of the way, and with each small effort we will be spreading the love of Christ to others and helping them become closer to the Lord too.