34But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Matthew 22: 34-40 NIV
The other day I heard a child ask, "Is it ok to kill evil people?" Sadly, our children are living in an age where national leaders are declaring, "The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is to have a good guy with a gun." Last night at the dinner table, my husband and I discussed this question with our children. We talked with them about the Ten Commandments and that in them, God's Word says, "Thou shalt not kill," to which our teenage son retorted, "Nobody follows those anymore" (Yes, this "Pastor's Kid" - aka, "pk" uttered those words!)
We went on to explain why God's commandments are still relevant. We shared with them the importance of "doing unto others as we would have them do unto us." Our other teenage son then said, "That's hard! The world would be a much better place if everybody did that."
Yes, the world would be a better place if everyone followed the "Golden Rule." I have been challenged more than a few times to adhere to this teaching myself! It would be so much easier to treat people as they treat you. But in 2013, may we have the faith, the courage and the strength to push past insensitivity, foolish behaviors, unreciprocated kindness and indifference. May we like Jesus live, love and serve to the glory of God.
Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people.
Colossians 3:23 International Version
Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com
Until Next Wednesday
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
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