Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Luke 6:31 NIV
How do you respond to people who mistreat or insult you? In Luke 6:27-36, Jesus tells us how we should respond. And his instruction is contrary to our natural inclination. He tells us to love our enemies. To do good to those who hate us. To bless those who curse us. And to pray for the ones who mistreat us.
And amid Jesus’ teaching about loving our enemies comes what is known today as the Golden Rule. This “Golden Rule” instructs us to do to others what we want them to do to us. It is important to note what this is not. It is not giving us permission to treat others the way they treat us. Nor is the application of this instruction limited just to those who will likely respond to us favorably.
In its context, this Golden Rule instructs me to treat my enemies as I would like them to treat me. And this is not dependent on them reciprocating that treatment. I am to love them, do good to them, bless them, and pray for them. Even while they are hating me, hurting me, cursing me, or mistreating me.
It might seem there is little value in treating my enemies like that. And it might open me up to even more abuse. But Jesus goes on to tell us that if we do this, our reward will be great. And that we will be children of the Most High, imitating our Father who is kind to the ungrateful and wicked (Luke 6:35).
Treat others, including your enemies, like you would want them to treat you, regardless of their response. And your eternal reward will be great.
