Matthew 7:12-14 "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
We have heard it called “the golden rule.” Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. We need to consider this instruction from Jesus very carefully. It does not guarantee us that people are going to be good to us if we are good to them.
This instruction was not given as a formula for reciprocation in life. The issue here is that we are to treat everyone like we want to be treated. This is a basic truth of discipleship. We are to do this every day regardless of how we are treated in return. This instruction was not a new thing; even the law and prophets of the Old Testament taught this principle.
This rule of life is not always an easy thing to do. It is much easier for our human nature to reverse this and take the attitude, “I will treat you just like you treat me.” The attitude that Christ is teaching us here is a difficult door (strait gate) for us to walk through. The word translated as strait means a place is narrow to pass through because there are obstacles in the way.
The easy way (wide gate) is the way our carnal nature likes to choose. The easy way is to wish to see people that have treated us badly get the same thing. That way leads to the destruction of our peace and contentment in life. While you will have plenty of company on that path, it will be miserable company.
Let me say here that this is not talking about where we are going to spend eternity. All these outcomes we are looking at today are a result of our choice and our actions. Our eternal home rests in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross and not on anything that we have done. This is not about becoming children of God, but rather about being followers of Jesus.
Dear ones, our lives are going to be much happier when we approach each day with the deliberate intent of treating everyone we encounter like we would like to be treated. This requires that we initiate this action toward others rather than waiting to react to the way they may treat us. Our carnal mind will try to tell us that we are weak when we do not react with aggression to those that treat us badly. Christ in us says that we should love those that despise us, just like He loves us.