Matthew 7:12-14
So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy1 that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
1 Some manuscripts, For the way is wide and easy
It would be in good order to compare Luke's Gospel, chapter six, verses twenty-seven through thirty-six as we consider this scripture today. Luke records the same portion of Jesus’ sermon, highlighting doing good in various ways.
If we hold both Luke and Matthew as instructions, we see the dynamics of interpersonal relationship and the way they are to be exercised. If we would do them, how much healthier we would be. Ultimately, His church would display the kind of knowledge that all men would know we are His disciples by the love we manifest.
Here, we have the main principle laid out for us from both the Old and New Testaments —doing good to all. We find this is the very nature of God, who makes His rain to shine on the just and unjust (Matthew 5:45).
For the Lord is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made (Psalm 145.9).
Doing good is manifested in what the bible calls ‘good works.’
Goodness is described in Greek as; that which, being “good” in its character or constitution, is beneficial in its effect and is a fruit displayed by the Holy Spirit at work in us. Just as God is love, God is good. It is through His exceeding great and precious promises that we are able to partake of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) enabling us to display various acts of goodness to all.
The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. Titus 3:8
The do unto others as you would have them do unto you is the narrow way. Jesus tells us the easy way has broad borders, encouraging us to choose our own way. The consistent dynamic about the love of God is the selflessness it displays. Its propensity is to suffer any and all hardships for the well-being of another. This is the way of Christ.
The wide and easy way is the choice to preserve oneself. If you consider the times and reasonings that take place on this path, you will find they usually revolve around self, which we are assured ends in destruction. Our ability to enter into a narrow way is simply the process of denying ourselves in the moment and choosing Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life.
They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:18-19