As I was thinking about many of the shortcomings I have as a human being, I was struck with the passage, Matthew 7:12 - So(A) whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is(B) the Law and the Prophets.
This is also referred to as the "golden rule".
I used to think...well, if I want others to share with me, I'll share with them...if I want people to be nice to me, I should be nice to them. I have found that's not exactly understood as it's intended. Although, it is true to some degree...but, not in the degree we as believers would hope. Here's what I mean...If you want someone to talk about you behind your back, think lowly of you, consider you a total loser...think that and do those things to others. It's GUARANTEED to come back to you that way...If you want people to be kind to you..think highly of you...consider you worthwhile, think that way of others and treat others that way. However, there is NO guarantee that will come back to you.
See the flaw in my line of thinking? I can't expect people to be nice to me by being nice to them. That's not what it's about. It's about me being nice to them REGARDLESS of how they treat me for this is how I long to be treated. So, others might also long for that treatment...And, if I can be to them how I long to be treated I am obeying the new covenant. I am on the narrow path.
Matthew Henry says this about it:
There are but two ways right and wrong, good and evil; the way to heaven and the way to hell; in the one or other of these all are walking: there is no middle place hereafter, no middle way now. All the children of men are saints or sinners, godly or ungodly. See concerning the way of sin and sinners, that the gate is wide, and stands open. You may go in at this gate with all your lusts about you; it gives no check to appetites or passions. It is a broad way; there are many paths in it; there is choice of sinful ways. There is a large company in this way. But what profit is there in being willing to go to hell with others, because they will not go to heaven with us? The way to eternal life is narrow. We are not in heaven as soon as we are got through the strait gate. Self must be denied, the body kept under, and corruptions mortified. Daily temptations must be resisted; duties must be done. We must watch in all things, and walk with care; and we must go through much tribulation. And yet this way should invite us all;
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