Tuesday, March 2, 2010

THE GOLDEN RULE

The Christian Golden Rule is this: "Do to others, as you would have them do to you," (Matthew 7:12 NIV). The Confucian version of the Golden Rule says simply, "Do not do," meaning to leave other folks alone. Build your wall around your life, and I'll build mine. Each of us can retreat to our own private space so that we won't step on each other's toes.

Jesus, on the other hand, said we should get involved in other people's lives. He wants us to take the risk of loving others. He also said: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13). We learned this quite graphically in the heroic efforts our soldiers, firemen, first responders and so many people in the helping professions.

When you see a man lying in a ditch, Confucian ethics allows you to pass him by, but the ethics of Jesus Christ praises the Samaritan, a foreigner who actively involved himself in the needy person's life. The difference between these two views is as profound as the difference between self-interest and self-sacrifice. Leaving others alone may be more comfortable, and entering into others' lives carries the risk of rejection. But following Jesus' teaching enriches lives - theirs and ours.

Letting others alone may give us extra leisure time, but it won't be as memorable as visiting a nursing home. People who say Christianity is just an ethical formulation ignore the fact that no one would make up a religion so contrary to human nature and our basic instincts as Christianity.

Here are "Ten Rules for Being Happy": Do something unselfishly helpful for someone in need, and then repeat the act for nine more people!

Help us live Your Golden Rule, Lord!

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