27 But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To the one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. 32 If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6: 27-36 (ESV)
A golden rule is by definition “a basic principle that should always be followed to ensure success in general or in a particular activity.” When you Google the term golden rule the internet will direct you to Matthew 7:12 which states “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Here in Luke we see an expansion on what this principle is teaching. We are to love our enemies in such a way that reflects Christ as to not turn on others who disagree or hurt us whether physically or mentally to the most extreme! The examples given are paramount examples useful in teaching and expressing the severity of this passage as to reflect the importance of the passage to the reader, or Christian, in this case.
Christ wants us to love our friends and companions but to keep our enemies closer than the world would express. Who would of thought “keep your friends close but your enemies closer” had biblical backing? Thought provoking and something every Christian needs to be reminded of in less than desirable situations.