The Golden Age

by Annie Yorty

“The golden age of America begins right now.” President Trump made this sweeping declaration during his inaugural address on January 20, 2025. He went on to paint a picture of “a nation that is proud, prosperous and free,” and said, “The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation.”

A Golden Age for America?

A golden age refers to a time when a particular art, activity, or country is at its peak. Sometimes the peak is only recognized in retrospect, after a decline has begun. Some dictionaries describe the prosperity or happiness of a golden age as idyllic or imaginary.

President Trump’s vision prompted me to think of a more lasting golden age principle.

@POTUS President Trump says America is on the cusp of a golden age. When God's people follow the Golden Rule, they taste the true and lasting golden age of heaven. #annieyorty #goldenage Share on X

The Golden Rule

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12 NLT)

Another time, a religious teacher asked Jesus, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important” (Mark 12:28 NLT)?

In reply, Jesus summarized the ten commandments.

“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” The second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” No other commandment is greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31 NLT)

The command to love your neighbor in the same way you love yourself depends on the foundation of wholehearted love for God.

A Higher Standard

We don’t really need to be told to love ourselves. Because of our sinful nature, self-love comes naturally.

Perhaps that’s why most other world religions also have a version of the Golden Rule. They typically say we shouldn’t do to others what we wouldn’t want them to do to us.

When we look closely, we notice a subtle difference between Jesus’ command and other religions’ reciprocal behavior constraints.

Other world religions seek to check negative actions. But this rule breaks down and offers an excuse for poor behavior when people fail to follow the Golden Rule with us. We feel hurt, mad, disappointed, sad—and provoked. We easily justify our own tarnished response to misdeeds inflicted on us.

On the other hand, Jesus tells us to actively love other people. Capitalizing on our tendency to be good to ourselves, He allows us to use our self-centered inclination as a starting point for how we should treat others. He leaves no wiggle room to excuse hurtful behavior.

Jesus perfectly demonstrated the Golden Rule for us.

Consider His proactive love.

He loves people who don’t love Him back.

He went the extra mile to the cross to rescue his enemies from the curse of sin.

Though we’re often ungrateful, He provides for our needs.

When we’re faithless, He remains devoted to us.

This list of Jesus’ qualities and loving actions toward us could go on for pages.

A True and Lasting Golden Age

I applaud President Trump for his vision to seek prosperity, peace, freedom, and growth for our nation. This is the duty of any national leader.

As individuals we can promote this golden age ideal by following Jesus’ Golden Rule in our personal lives. Consider what prosperity and peace we would experience if we all followed the Golden Rule in the following situations.

At work

In marriage

While parenting our children

With friendships

At the grocery store

In the parking lot

On the phone with customer service

In sports competitions

On the highway

Do you, like me, ever fail to apply the Golden Rule? The struggle against our sinful nature is real. But when we remember we have a Helper—the Holy Spirit—to guide us, we take courage to obey. In His strength, we succeed and grow in holiness.

With each victorious Golden Rule moment, we taste of a lasting golden age that we’ll experience in heaven. And, my friends, there’s nothing imaginary about that age. There we will finally and fully realize the peak of prosperity, peace, freedom, and growth that never declines.

Join the conversation:

How does the Holy Spirit help you to apply the Golden Rule?

I welcome your comments.

Copyright ©2025 Annie Yorty

A Book Recommendation

Friends, I want to share a hot-off-the-press children’s book your kids and grandkids will love.

**Please note that I have a phobia about anything with more than four legs. For me to read and recommend this book, you know it must be really good!**

Written by Will and Cari Lewis, What Bugs Do at Night takes you on a charming adventure to meet all kinds of bugs—queens, electrical engineers, gypsies, musicians, and more. Click the link to follow my Facebook Author Page because I will be giving away a copy of the book there within the next couple of weeks.