“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (NIV, Luke 6:37-38)
Upon reflection, deep.thought, is this not aligned with your "Treat others as you wish to be treated?" This strikes me as saying that God will use against you whatever you use against others.
Now, in the earthly realm we may not think that mistreating others will come back to bite us. But in the heavenly realm there will be a day of judgment. Of course, if one doesn't believe in God, or an afterlife, or a day of judgment, then one can commit unjust acts in this life with the belief it will not matter. But introduce the notion of a God that will judge, and the dynamics change.
But wait, some may ask ... am I not contradicting my previous post? Where is the "loving God" in that equation? Very simple -- nailed to a cross, dying for our sins, so that through his act of selfless sacrifice we might enjoy true forgiveness, blessed by the Grace of God.
Hence my original proposition -- first, love God with all your heart, mind and soul. That includes believing in the truth of Christ crucified and risen. And when the truth of this settles into a man's heart, from that will stem a forgiving and just attitude in return.
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