“Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Mt. 7: 12 CSB)
Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them” (Lk. 6: 31 CSB)
How we are expected to be treated is how we should treat others. We sometimes say something like “walk a mile in their shoes” (How Are Disciples Supposed to Treat People?).
Our responses have been determined prior to the situations take place — we have to choose to respond the way in which God wants (How Are Disciples Supposed to Treat People?).
We aren’t to respond in sheer emotions. Instead, we are to respond with our Christian virtue (Why Should We Love Our Enemies?).
The whole law is fulfilled in one word: love (How Are Disciples Supposed to Treat People?).
We are to love our neighbors (i.e., everyone) because, when we do, we are imitating God (How Are Disciples Supposed to Treat People?).
If mankind does not love mankind, the equity will not be there. The worldview definition of tolerance as love does not get down to the personal level. It stays on the action level. It can’t be a surface love (The Morality of Being Just).
This verse is talking about reasonable, equitable treatment, but we have skewed its emphasis. Unfortunately, this misinterpretation of the verse leads worldview people to think disciples are hypocrites. They further skew this to read that disciples are supposed to let them treat people as they want to be treated, i.e. let them think and do whatever they want (How Are Disciples Supposed to Treat People?).
God does not commanded us to let people disobey Him — we are to try to help them see His love for them. Our disciple’s job description says that our duties are to proclaim His gospel and make disciples (How Are Disciples Supposed to Treat People?).
Yes, how we are treated is said first, but the emphasis is put on how we treat others, not how they treat us. Others could treat us based on an agenda — they may be reacting out of selfishness or retaliation (How Are Disciples Supposed to Treat People?).
The Golden Rule doesn’t give us license to be selfish or retaliate — or whatever wrong way we are treated (How Are Disciples Supposed to Treat People?).
Equity does not mean equal because there is a diversity among mankind. Because there are differences, our duty towards them has to be different (How Are Disciples Supposed to Treat People?).
Loving our enemies does not mean we make them our new BFFs. Jesus wasn’t calling us to the worldview’s complacent love toward them. We aren’t called to approve of their actions (Why Should We Love Our Enemies?).
Regardless if we are children of God or just made in His image, we are brothers and sisters. We shouldn’t feel like we should only love those who have made a profession of faith (Why Should We Love Our Enemies?).
What Jesus is talking about here is we should love our enemies with a benevolent love. It is about forgiveness, not revenge (Why Should We Love Our Enemies?).
Bottom line is, regardless of their position in life, we are to treat others as equals (The Morality of Being Just).
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