Can living the 'Golden Rule' Save You?

Can living the 'Golden Rule' Save You?

QUESTION:

Assuming Jesus existed and assuming the statement attributed to him in Matthew 22:35-40 has been accurately translated in the Bible, is it not true that the only way for a Christian to have everlasting life is by adhering to the Golden Rule?

ANSWER:

There is not an iota of doubt in my mind that Jesus existed. Furthermore, there is not an iota of doubt in my mind that what he quoted is accurately recorded in my King James Bible. Heaven and earth can pass away, but these two facts will remain eternally true.

Before I answer your question, lets look at the verse you quote,

Mat 22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? (37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (38) This is the first and great commandment. (39) And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Strictly speaking, the golden rule says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. However, for the sake of this reply, let’s deal with the above verse as ‘the golden rule’.

Love is indeed the fulfilment of the law. If a man could love God, and his neighbour, perfectly, for the duration of his life, and to the extent that this verse suggests, then it is my opinion that this man might just deserve a place in heaven. However, a man’s salvation does not depend on my opinion, but rather, it depends on the established truth of God’s Word, and upon the grace of God, provided in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

If the golden rule could save a man, let’s analyze what the Bible says about this love. What exactly would a man have to do to live this love and qualify for salvation?

In the Bible, our apostle, Paul, provides a comprehensive description of biblical love in 1Cor 13:4-8. Let’s explore the do's and don'ts of this kind of godly love:

• Patience: Love is patient, demonstrating endurance and forbearance even in challenging circumstances.
• Kindness: Love is kind, showing compassion and goodwill toward others.
• Lack of Jealousy: Love is not jealous; it does not harbor envy or resentment.
• Absence of Bragging or Arrogance: Love does not brag or act arrogantly.
• Appropriate Behaviour: Love does not act unbecomingly; it behaves with propriety and respect.
• Selflessness: Love does not seek its own; it prioritizes the well-being of others.
• Avoidance of Provocation: Love is not provoked; it remains calm and composed.
• Forgiveness: Love does not account for wrongs suffered; it forgives and let’s go.
• Rejection of Unrighteousness: Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness; it aligns with truth and righteousness.
• Joy in Truth: Love rejoices with the truth; it celebrates honesty and integrity.
• Endurance: Love bears all things; it perseveres through challenges.
• Faith: Love believes all things; it maintains trust and confidence.
• Hope: Love hopes all things; it looks forward with optimism.
• Perseverance: Love endures all things; it remains steadfast.
• Unfailing Nature: Love never fails; it is constant and unwavering.

This biblical love, known as agape love, goes beyond mere feelings. It is practical, selfless, and motivated by goodwill. It seeks the best for others, reflecting God’s sacrificial love for humanity.

That is quite a list. Also, it is one that is so foreign to the sinful heart of man. The problem is that there is nothing good in man. The natural, carnal man is as far from godly love as the east is from the west. Sin has corrupted us to the core, confirmed by what Isaiah 64:6 says, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags”. Although the natural man can choose to appreciate God’s existence, and possibly conjure up feelings of love toward Him and others, that feeling, or emotion, cannot secure his salvation. It is only when true spiritual transformation occurs within him, through the grace gospel of Jesus Christ, that true love can begin to grow and develop within him.

Godly love begins its work within us when we get saved by the grace gospel. It is the Holy Spirit that produces the fruit of ‘godly’ love within us. Paul writes the following,

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, …

In this context, love is a divine attribute. The Bible teaches that true love—the kind that transcends human limitations—is rooted in God's nature, and this same love is to take root in our hearts and grow towards the maturity of the love of Christ. This is when we truly get established in love, not living our own lives, but rather having Christ live in and through us. Paul prays the following over the believers at Ephesus,

Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (18) May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; (19) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

In summation of this whole reply, let me express the following as the final verdict of your opening statement: The golden rule is not required to establish our salvation, but rather, salvation is required to establish the golden rule in us.

God bless.