Jon Allen

Tis the season. No, I am not talking about Christmas although it will be here before we know. I’m considering election season. It is the time where we the people have a voice into who governs our city, county, state and country.

It has also become the season for candidates to point out their strengths and why we should vote for them and all too often remind folks of their opponent’s weaknesses. Unfortunately, this routinely turns into mudslinging. Not all candidates participate in these tactics but too many do.

I was recently speaking with a former state legislator about our current political climate, and he was sharing about when he served in the state Legislature. He told of times that Democrats and Republicans would debate an issue in session and when it came time for lunch, they would all go out together and enjoy lunch, both parties.

What happened? Now, I know that mudslinging is not new and treating others poorly is not confined to our politicians, but it sure does reveal itself publicly in that arena.

What would happen if instead of being unkind to others, we as a culture would encourage living by the Golden Rule. You know, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” 

What would our politics look like and even more importantly what would our world look like if we would subscribe to that poignant advice.

The Golden Rule originated in the greatest sermon ever given by the greatest preacher who ever lived. Jesus gave that sermon which we call the Sermon on the Mount. The actual verse is Matthew 7:12 which says, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Laws and the Prophets.”

In other words, Jesus is saying that this simple command encompasses what was taught throughout the Old Testament. Treat others the way you want to be treated. That sums it all up.

There is one other place in the Bible that we read the phrase that all the law and the prophets hang on these two commands. As Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is, he replied in Matthew 22:37-40, “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. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

It is about loving others and treating them the way we wish to be treated. It is about loving God with all we are and loving our neighbors based on the love we have for our lord. It is about the Golden Rule.

You see it is not just our politicians who speak unkindly of each other or treat each other poorly. We as a culture struggle to treat others the way we wish to be treated. What would our world look like if we took Jesus’ advice? What would our culture look like if we all lived by the Golden Rule?

(Jon Allen is the associate pastor of Grace Point in Powell.)