2 Details you didn’t know about the Golden Rule
The Golden Rule: “You shall love your neighbor as your love yourself” — Jesus Christ
Most of modern Christianity, as well as most of the persons that have lightly perused the Bible, have assumed a perspective of the Golden Rule that has not only been misguided, but in some cases have abandoned persons to ruin and destruction, mentally, emotionally and physically.
Here are two examples the demonstrate both the advantages of the modern interpretation of the Golden Rule, as well as the disadvantages.
Examples:
Example #1:
John takes a walk down the road and sees a homeless individual, who hasn’t had a both in a long time and is expressing that he is very hungry, but with nothing to eat.
In applying the Golden Rule to this scenario, as is defined by the modern interpretation, John by this rule is obliged morally to be kind to this individual, and show care for his wellbeing by helping him with whatever he can. In this case, that would be something to eat, as well as, if he can, help him with a bath and clothes. Note that in this case, both parties are not disadvantaged.
Example #2:
A woman, Mary, is being viscously battered and abused by her husband, Mark. She goes to someone of the clergy for assistance, or even a friend who uses the modern day perspective of the Golden Rule, and the same rule applies.The respond to her by saying, you must show your husband love, kindness, and care for his wellbeing. Return to your husband with a forgiving heart.
In this application of the Golden Rule, as defined by the modern usage of moral validation, the rule favors the person causing harm (the oppressor), and abandons the person suffering harm to uninterrupted ruin and destruction (the oppressed). Note well, that the rule is now disadvantageous.
And, this is the thing about “Rules of Validation”. The adherent to the Rule of Validation is blinded by their pursuit of moral validation. Disadvantageous issues are addressed. This has contributed to decadence of many who have looked towards denominational Christianity for rescue, whether intentional or unintentional.
Here are 2 things that you did not know about the “Golden Rule”.
- The Golden Rule was not invented by Jesus in the Gospels of the Bible.
Jesus in the recounts of the authors of the Gospels was a Circumcised Jew, who not only memorized the Law of Moses, but was under the vow of Mental Circumcision to the Law of Moses, entered in by the initiation rite of Physical Circumcision. This means that he spoke through the lens of the Scriptures, and so the “Golden Rule” is being cited by Jesus.
It would also be useful for all to know that Jesus much like any other Rabbi, spoke with lots of Scriptural hints, from which the hearers at that time who were from the common education of the memorized Law of Moses, were expected to reference the context from the location of the citation as the undertone of his meaning.
This is quoted from the Law of Moses.
Westernized and Modern Day Christianity do not benefit from this, as it is not a tradition of Christianity to promote the memorization of the Law of Moses, verbatim, nor is how to read the Scriptures independent of the rules of standard English Grammar.
So, what is Jesus citing, you may ask? The Answer: Leviticus 19:18.
For context of the citation, I will quote verses 17 and 18, from the Amplified Bible.
“17 ‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart; you may most certainly rebuke your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him.
18 You shall not take revenge nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor (acquaintance, associate, companion) as yourself; I am the Lord.”
This brings me to number 2.
2. N.B. According to the context of the citation “you shall love your neighbor as you love yourself”, the Law mandated that you should not take revenge nor bear any grudge against your neighbors. Therefore loving your neighbor was meant to communicate that you should not hold ill-will in your heart.
Give even closer attention to the fact that the citation includes, “you may most certainly rebuke your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him.”
This means that the context of the citation also commands the adherent to not stay quiet against injustices done against them, or against others. The adherent was expected on the contrary to rebuke the oppressor and the oppression, therefore representing the equity upon which the concept stands.
This is reflected in two excerpts of the Apostle Paul’s letters, in the New Testament:
Ephesians 4:26–27
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.And, Romans 12:9
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Therefore, if we return to the context of Example #2, mentioned earlier, we can clearly see that the oppressed was expected to “most certainly rebuke his neighbor”. That is, stand up against or withstand the oppression. NOT subject oneself to evil it to be validated morally by God.
Seeking revenge or bearing grudges are acts expressed over time, which was therefore understood to be a character adjustment. This differs from the expression of indignation and rebuking your neighbor in the moment of the injustice.
Love in Scriptures is an expression of EQUITY, JUSTICE, RIGHTEOUSNESS, not a Rule of Validation to be found “pleasing to God”.
Was this helpful for your understanding of the true context of the “Golden Rule”?
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