Friday 4 March 2016

A Christian Principle

A Christian Principle

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” 
           Matthew 7:12.
Here is a universal principle I believe everyone be they Christian or not can understand,  “do to others what you would have them do to you,”
I firmly believe that everyone will one day have to give an accounting to God. I firmly believe what the writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” 
  Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
The Talmud makes an interesting point when it says,
When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
                                                                                                             The Talmud
I know the Talmud is not considered an inspired book by Christians but the principle it points out is Christian.
For the Christian there can be no limits on who the “others” are.
Too many people calling themselves Christians limit who they help. I’ve heard people claiming to be Christians yell insults at people they don’t like.
One of the big hot button debates in the United States is same sex marriage. Those calling themselves Christians protest against it. That is not doing to others as you would have others do to you. Unless you want those you protest against to protest against you.
Secular governments make the laws and are not bound by Christians principles and morals.
Jesus and the founding fathers of the church understood this very well. They lived in the Roman empire. That had practises that they would strongly object too, yet they didn’t. If Jesus and the apostles didn’t speak out against those outside their faith.
The apostle Paul saying,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                                             1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Paul also says,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” 
                                                                                                                                 Romans 13:1
The apostle Peter backs that statement saying,
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.”  
                                                      1 Peter 2:13,14.
They said this while living under the emperor Nero who would eventually order their deaths.
As Christians we need to take a good look at how we are conducting ourselves. Are we obeying the words of Jesus who said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” 
           Matthew 7:12.
Please think about it.

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