Usually, the term "double standard" refers to something negative, doesn't it? But today, allow me to invite all of us to have a double standard in our lives, especially in our relationships with other people.
The first standard is the inward standard. Jesus said in Matthew 7:12, "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." This is the standard we apply to ourselves. So if we want others to be kind to us, then we are the ones who must be kind to them first. In the same vein, Paul instructed the church in Philippi, "...but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." That is what he wrote in Philippians 2:3. Frankly, this is a very difficult standard to apply. The problem is, even if we then try with all our strength to apply such a standard, all the kindness and friendliness we give to others will not necessarily be repaid with the same kindness toward us. That is why we need to apply the second standard.
The second standard is the outward standard. In Mandarin, there is a saying, "hao xin mei hao bao." Roughly, it means that good intentions do not receive a good return. This standard is not applied to ourselves; rather, it must be attached to other people. What I mean is, never expect that person to repay our kindness. We really need to guard our hearts to always be sincere in doing good. We want to do it purely because we truly want to do it, not because we hope for a certain reward. This is very necessary to avoid disappointment in the future.
You might think that what I am saying is based more on a secular principle, because where is there a Bible verse that says hao xin mei hao bao? Indeed, there isn't one. But not being in the Bible does not always mean being unbiblical. So once there was a Chinese philosopher who was asked about Jesus. Stroking his long white beard, he answered briefly, "Hao xin mei hao bao." No, no, I just made that up. The point is, if the whole life of Jesus had to be expressed in just one sentence, that Mandarin saying would represent it. Didn't Jesus have good intentions? Yet in return for His love and kindness, a cross was given to Him. Even so, just because He did not receive hao bao, that did not make Jesus any less hao xin.
In a shorter sentence, this double standard means that if we owe someone a debt of kindness, repay it quickly; but if someone else owes us a debt of kindness, never expect anything in return from them. Of course, because we put our hope more in God, don't we?
Hmm, true enough, but do we dare to take a step further by following the example of the three young Jewish men who did not even expect a reward from God, in Daniel 3:17-18: "If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."?
The Lord Jesus bless you.