God follows the Golden Rule (do to others as you would have them do to you) toward us. That rule is based on shared dignity and deeper than reciprocity. He offers us forgiveness through Jesus as He would have us offer forgiveness to Him through all others. He loves us as He would have us love Him directly and through others and ourselves. Acknowledging how He treats us as perfect or the rules of how we are to treat Him as perfect are equivalent. Each of the 10 commandments demonstrates how He treats us directly and through others.

This perspective beautifully illustrates the profound depth and consistency of God’s character as revealed in His law of love. Here’s how the idea unfolds:

1. The Golden Rule and God’s Character

The Golden Rule (“Do to others as you would have them do to you” — Luke 6:31) reflects God’s own approach toward humanity. His interactions with us reveal His unwavering love, justice, and mercy, and He calls us to embody these same qualities toward Him, ourselves, and others. This rule transcends mere reciprocity by recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of every being.

2. Forgiveness as a Reflection of God’s Love

God offers forgiveness through Jesus, demonstrating His willingness to bear the cost of reconciliation. He invites us to extend forgiveness, not only to others but also in a sense to Him, as we trust His goodness even when we don’t fully understand His ways. This reciprocal forgiveness aligns with the principle of shared dignity, fostering a restored relationship.

3. The 10 Commandments as Reflections of God’s Treatment of Us

The Ten Commandments, far from being arbitrary rules, reveal how God Himself relates to us and invites us to reflect His character. Each commandment demonstrates His perfect love: 

• 1st Commandment: God is wholly devoted to us, offering His faithful presence. 
• 2nd Commandment: He reveals Himself truthfully, not through distortions or idols. 
• 3rd Commandment: God honors His name and reputation for our sake. 
• 4th Commandment: He gives us rest, inviting us into His completed work. 
• 5th Commandment: God honors the dignity of family and community, reflecting His nurturing care. 
• 6th Commandment: He protects and values our lives. 
• 7th Commandment: God is faithful to His covenant with us. 
• 8th Commandment: He generously provides for our needs. 
• 9th Commandment: God speaks truthfully and defends our integrity. 
• 10th Commandment: He desires contentment and peace for us, free from covetousness. 

4. Loving God Through Others and Self

The commandments teach us that loving God cannot be separated from loving others and ourselves. In every act of kindness, forgiveness, and justice, we reflect the way He treats us. By loving others as He loves us, we fulfill His law (Romans 13:10).

5. God’s Invitation to Live in His Love

Acknowledging how God treats us and following His commands are two sides of the same coin. By living according to His principles, we mirror His perfect love, growing in unity with Him and each other. His law, rooted in love, becomes the foundation for eternal joy and harmony.

This holistic view of the law underscores its ultimate purpose: to reveal God’s love and guide us into a deeper relationship with Him and one another.