Friday, February 19, 2010
Living The Golden Rule
We have all been saddened by the massive destruction and loss of life recently experienced by Haitians. Such tragedies remind us that our life is but a vapor and that life is our most precious gift. Amidst the devastation, however, we are often heartened by all the goodness that comes from those who make an effort to help. I am thankful that our government has been so generous to people in need throughout the world. I am also encouraged when I see Christians take such an active role in ministering to those who are in dire straits. One newscaster reported that 90% of the non-governmental agencies currently working in Haiti are faith-based.
Jesus taught that Christians were supposed to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth, and that they were supposed to treat others as they would like to be treated. (See Matthew 5-7) I, for one, am thankful for the many unsung heroes who have done just that – they poured their lives out for others and left the world a better place. Untold numbers of people have been helped through Christian charities and local churches. Many of the world’s most recognized hospitals, relief organizations, orphanages and colleges were founded by Christians. If we could measure the vast amounts of time and money dedicated to these causes, the numbers would be staggering.
Obviously, not everyone who calls themselves a Christian is going to act like one, but I have often been encouraged and humbled as I have witnessed believers extend great grace to others by:
· paying for buildings so others could have a place to worship
· providing rides for those who have no transportation
· paying for young people to go to summer camp or a conference
· helping strangers move or clean up after a fire or flood
· volunteering to teach timeless principles to others
· spending time and energy to help others through difficult times
· donating valuable skills to aid people in crises
Being a true Christian is a challenging assignment. Like in any other worthy endeavor, only the diligent and whole-hearted make the journey. I am thankful for the many Christians whose diligence has blessed my life. So many of them remind me of the following description of Christians that was written sometime during the second century: “They live in their own countries, but only as nonresidents; they participate in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign country is their fatherland, and every fatherland is foreign. They marry like everyone else, and have children, but they do not expose their offspring. They share their food but not their wives. They are in the flesh, but they do not live according to the flesh. They live on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws; indeed in their private lives they transcend the laws.” (The Epistle to Diognetus, “The Distinctiveness of Christians”)
Without a doubt there are many non-Christians who have done wonderful things and been helpful in times of disaster. But, as a Christian, I would like to thank my fellow believers for being leaders in this area of practical living. You put your money where your mouth is; you lived the golden rule – that’s how it should be.
Jesus taught that Christians were supposed to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth, and that they were supposed to treat others as they would like to be treated. (See Matthew 5-7) I, for one, am thankful for the many unsung heroes who have done just that – they poured their lives out for others and left the world a better place. Untold numbers of people have been helped through Christian charities and local churches. Many of the world’s most recognized hospitals, relief organizations, orphanages and colleges were founded by Christians. If we could measure the vast amounts of time and money dedicated to these causes, the numbers would be staggering.
Obviously, not everyone who calls themselves a Christian is going to act like one, but I have often been encouraged and humbled as I have witnessed believers extend great grace to others by:
· paying for buildings so others could have a place to worship
· providing rides for those who have no transportation
· paying for young people to go to summer camp or a conference
· helping strangers move or clean up after a fire or flood
· volunteering to teach timeless principles to others
· spending time and energy to help others through difficult times
· donating valuable skills to aid people in crises
Being a true Christian is a challenging assignment. Like in any other worthy endeavor, only the diligent and whole-hearted make the journey. I am thankful for the many Christians whose diligence has blessed my life. So many of them remind me of the following description of Christians that was written sometime during the second century: “They live in their own countries, but only as nonresidents; they participate in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign country is their fatherland, and every fatherland is foreign. They marry like everyone else, and have children, but they do not expose their offspring. They share their food but not their wives. They are in the flesh, but they do not live according to the flesh. They live on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws; indeed in their private lives they transcend the laws.” (The Epistle to Diognetus, “The Distinctiveness of Christians”)
Without a doubt there are many non-Christians who have done wonderful things and been helpful in times of disaster. But, as a Christian, I would like to thank my fellow believers for being leaders in this area of practical living. You put your money where your mouth is; you lived the golden rule – that’s how it should be.
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