The Perfect Standard of Righteousness and the "Golden Rule"

Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

This is what many call the “golden rule.” It is also written in Luke 6:31. Some state it as, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This is a Biblical principle for which all truth believers ought to aim. “FOR THIS IS THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS,” reveals that this is another way of showing the perfect standard of righteousness required by God’s law as expressed by the Lord Himself in the summation of the law – “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:” and “love thy neighbor as thyself” (Mark 12:29-31). Like every manifestation of God’s law, this perfect law of love exposes our sinfulness, depravity, and weakness to work righteousness for ourselves, and our need of Christ’s righteousness to justify us and give us spiritual and eternal life (Romans 3:10-20). Christ is the only one who fulfilled the “Golden Rule” perfectly, and He is the Lord our Righteousness (Romans 10:4). The Gospel truth of salvation by God’s grace in Christ is also taught “the law and the prophets” (cf. Romans 3:21-25).

- Bill Parker, Pastor of Eager Avenue Grace Church in Albany Georgia - notes to Bible study on Matthew 7:12-20 ( MATTHEW24 (sermonaudio.com) )