Daily Devo
A Life-Sustaining Rule
By: Mae Archila
Monday, April 13, 2026
“So, in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12
The world calls this teaching from Jesus the "golden Rule", and it challenges us to go beyond being cordial. When Jesus said, “in everything”, He didn't just mean our actions. What we say about others and what we think about others is important too! A true Christ follower's attitude must reflect God’s merciful nature. How do we do that? By loving others, and by being kind, helpful, respectful, and compassionate to everyone. It sounds difficult, but at salvation, our hearts were transformed by God. The only way anyone can live out the "golden Rule' is through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Teaching the Golden Rule isn't easy either, especially when we're trying to teach it to young children. But when a child sees us model this Christian behavior toward others, it becomes much easier to understand. The Golden Rule is a cliché or a quote to display for unbelievers, but to Christ followers it's a life-sustaining biblical principle. Modeling it shows others we are different, and it displays Jesus in our interactions and relationships with others.
Jesus condensed the OT law into two principles: Love God, and love people. He took the second part from Leviticus 19:18, which says: “...love your neighbor as yourself.” Do you want to be loved? Then show love. Do you want to be respected? Then show respect. Do you like it when someone speaks kind words to you? Then speak kindly about others.
The second greatest commandment is superseded and preceded by the command to love God. When the OT experts of the law asked Jesus what the greatest command was, He answered them in the book of Matthew. Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39
With so much turmoil in our world, everyone would benefit from putting Jesus’ words and instructions into practice—But no matter what the world does, we must obey His command ourselves. It starts with us!