Is your Golden Rule tarnished?

One of the most popular platitudes is The Golden Rule. Millions of people across several thousands of years have relied on the principle to guide them to a more abundant and virtuous life. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" has a great "ring" to it. A "golden" sound. A "measure" for humanity that brings a harmony with life that feels right and true.



There is one problem though we need to consider. Is it possible that this platitude can be a head fake? Could there be a bias "baked in" our human nature that influences us to interpret and apply it in a misguided way? Is it possible that the truth gets contaminated by influences we do not even realize?

Here's my point. because human nature has an obsession with fairness, equilibrium, reciprocity, and such (a theme of many of my earlier blogs), it is highly possible, if not likely, that what we really understand the Golden rule to say is

  "do unto others so they will do unto you in a way you really like"

In other words, what really motivates us to embrace this virtue of giving is a desire to act on others' behalf so they will act on our behalf. This might simply be the effects of social exchange on our thinking, feeling, and acting. It is our human nature, our "flesh", our "carnal mind" to adopt a standard for giving that maintains a sense of equilibrium with our receiving, 

I was having this discussion with a friend who turned and asked ChatGPT, "what is the difference between the Golden Rule and Grace?" Even AI finds the Golden Rule anchored in reciprocity and fairness. No Christian preacher or theologian has ever (to my knowledge) viewed the passage in Matt 7 (called the Golden Rule by man) as a manifestation of the flesh (social exchange). 

In a sense giving (or doing unto others) is self-serving, it is trusting a way to get our needs met by what we do, which is actually sin. Man (not Jesus) calls this the Golden Rule. Jesus claims this principle is "according to the law and prophets." May Jesus be referencing the traditional way truth is determined in our flesh, not a Kingdom idea given to us by His Spirit. Maybe this principle feels admirable because it feels so natural. This begs the question, "what does not come naturally."

What does not come from our human nature is Grace. "As" means empathy not manipulation. The principle of grace that underwrites the Golden Rule does not focus on "doing to get" but "doing" as an act of unconditional favor. "as you would have them do unto you" is realizing the amazing grace that has become your experience and heart's desire. Maybe a clearer version of the Golden Rule, one that blocks the obsession of our nature for justice would be "give to others as God has given to you".

As you embrace the virtue of The Golden Rule, just keep in mind that you must polish it often or it becomes tarnished. Just something to ponder ....