A Golden Rule

The Best Way To Be

Peter Maurin once said,

"There is no better way to be

than to be

what we want the other fellow to be."

If that is the case,

then Christians have wanted

their enemies 

to be vengeful and merciless.

If that is the case,

then Christians have wanted 

their enemies

to be judgmental and repressive.

If that is the case,

then Christians have wanted

their enemies

to be controlling and oppressive.

What Christians should want

their enemies to be

is forgiving and merciful.

What Christians should want 

their enemies to be

is gracious and loving.

What Christians should want

their enemies to be

is gracious and loving.

What Christians should want 

their enemies to be

is sacrificial and self-giving.

And if the best way to be

is to be

what we want others to be

then Christians must be Christ to their enemies.

Church and State

In the early years of the Church

this wasn't a problem.

It wasn't until 

the state gave power to the Church 

that Christians stopped being persecuted

and started persecuting.

We took the Christ Who died for sinners

and made Him the Christ who judges sinners.

And instead of going to the cross for others

we now put others on the cross.

The Cross Commission

We must 

again hear the call of our Christ.

We must

pick up our cross and follow

Him Who prayed, upon the cross,

for His enemies,

"Father, forgive them..."

We must 

set down the nails and hammer

that we clench in our hands

and instead allow ourselves

to be pierced,

and thus bear the same marks

from our enemies

that Christ bore for His.

 

-Jacob Davis