Is the “Golden Rule” biblical? Yes, but not because it is a “golden rule” but rather because it is a “Kingdom principle.” Many people miss the point here. They want to live by the golden rule (and that’s fine), but not really according to the Kingdom rule. Ah yes, we are talking about the pickers and the choosers. Jesus asked it this way: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Lk. 6:46) In other words; “Why do you call me Lord when in reality I am not your Lord?” or, “Why do you call me Lord yet you ignore all of my teachings except the ones you like?” Or “why do you call me Lord but want nothing to do with my kingdom?” You get the point: Saying we live according to the “golden Rule” makes us feel better about ourselves, but it really doesn’t do anything more for us than boost our pride if that is all we do. You can hear it now: “Well I just try to live my life according to the “Golden Rule” as if this makes us a good person. Let’s be clear, it is a nice way to be and it may make you a good person – but it doesn’t make you a godly person. A godly person lives their life in accordance to God’s rule (Lordship) in which they take into consideration “all” it means to be Kingdom people. A person who lives under the kingdom rule will automatically incorporate the golden rule — but they also ensure they are living according to the “Jesus rules” And they follow the whole counsel of God, not just the counsel they like. Which is more true of you today, Are you golden ruled or kingdom ruled?

Dr. William Burnham is pastor of Point of Grace Church in Covington. He can be reached at burnhamw@charter.net.