By Regi Campbell
Everyone knows the golden rule. Here’s how contributors to Wikipedia explain it …
“The Golden Rule is the principle of treating others as one would wish to be treated. It is a maxim that is found in many religions and cultures.”
Jesus taught the Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12 …
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
But how do we define “whatever you wish” or “as one would wish to be treated”? We kind of have to make it up … to imagine what we’d like others to do. How we’d like someone else to behave.
As with almost everything, Jesus brought clarity and raised the bar at the same time. He gave us what my pastor calls the Platinum Rule … a way of relating to others that is clearer and more actionable.
Simply put, here’s the Platinum Rule: “Whatever God has done for me, I must go and do for others.”
For instance, how can I not give grace (unmerited favor) to someone when God has poured out immeasurable grace to me? 2 Timothy 2 begins with Paul’s admonition to Timothy to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
How can I not have mercy for others when God has shown me such mercy?
And how can I not forgive others when God has unconditionally forgiven me?
Just as you don’t deserve God’s forgiveness, someone you know may not deserve yours. It doesn’t matter: we are commanded to forgive them. And it’s for our benefit. So we can live free and keep short accounts!
And generosity? How can I justify being stingy with my time, talent, and treasure when God has been so generous with me?
While the Platinum Rule sets a high standard, I love that it’s clear and simple to understand. It’s binary. If God has done it for me, how can I not do it for others?
Think and Pray
Implant the Platinum Rule in your head and your heart and let it guide your decisions and heal your relationships.
Father, help me to remain aware of all that You’ve done for me – Your grace, forgiveness, love, empowerment and generosity. And as I receive this from You, help me also to extend these same things to others. May they see You in my words, actions and responses. Amen.
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Regi Campbell is an experienced investor and entrepreneur by trade. But his real passion is mentoring younger men. In 2007, Regi founded Radical Mentoring to help encourage and equip mentors and churches to launch mentoring groups. He has written four books: About My Father’s Business, Mentor Like Jesus, What Radical Husbands Do, and Radical Wisdom. Regi currently lives in Atlanta, GA with his wife of 47 years, Miriam.
