What is a good way to explain "do unto others as you would have done unto you?"
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To put it simply, this statement, commonly referred to as the Golden Rule, tells people to treat others as they would want to be treated themselves, as in, if one wants to be treated a certain way, one should treat others in that way. If everyone were to follow this rule, in theory, everyone would be treated well.
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This verse is found in Matthew 7:12 and is best understood in the context of that chapter. Verse 1 begins by saying, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged" (NIV). Verse 2 goes on to explain that if you judge others, you will be judged in the same way. Judgement belongs to God and not to man.
Verse 3 asks, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (NIV). The metaphorical meaning here is that people have a tendency to criticize minute details of others' lives (sawdust) while they themselves have serious flaws that they need to address (the planks, or large boards).
Christ goes on to command that his...
(The entire section contains 5 answers and 1,063 words.)
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