What did Jesus really mean by the Golden Rule?
In Matthew 7:12, Jesus says:
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
We often live by a different rule: I'll see how they treat me first.
If they're kind, I'll be kind.
If they respect me, I'll respect them.
If they're toxic... I'll give them that same energy back.
But Jesus calls us to something different:
DO GOOD FIRST.
In this message, Pastor AJ Valdez breaks down the Golden Rule and what it looks like to actually live it out—in our families, communities, workplaces, Twitch chats, Discord servers, and even inside games like World of Warcraft and Marvel Rivals.
Instead of simply saying, “I didn't do anything bad,” Jesus challenges us to actively look for opportunities to do good. Don't just avoid insulting someone—encourage them. Don't just avoid excluding someone—invite them. Don't just notice someone struggling—help them.