Hello Herbert, you mentioned a few different bible phrases in your post but I would like to speak on one phrase in particular. The phrases that I am speaking of is “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I personally feel that this phrase is only used by most people when they feel they have been done wrong and do to that fact, it is often times used out of context. This phrase is supposed to be a lesson for individuals to learn about how to treat others in every situation in life. Sadly it seems that the only thing many individuals have gained from this phrases is to use it to persecute others when they have been treated
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
This verse is a great example showing that we are the same and that we shouldn’t judge other for a couple of reason. One reason is because it is saying that you should not call people out in things like a mistake or sin they have done because you are liking to have done a mistake or sin in your life, maybe the same one that
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons (Colossians 3:23-25, KJV).
20- “Perhaps is we focused more on doing good than avoiding wrong, we would make more difference in our world.” This is so true! God does not want people to legalistically obey His commands, instead He wants them to go out into the world and live for Christ.
A biblical worldview should influence the way I think about, treat, and speak to others on a daily basis because I do not want to go around and degrade everyone that comes into sight. I should always treat others with the upmost respect even if I do not get treated with respect by that individual. I should not always judge others on how they look, speak, or act because I would not like it if someone came up to me and started pointing out every flaw that I had. Matthew 7:12 states “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Therefore, individuals need to be more mindful of their words and actions because an individual can really hurt someone mentally, physically, and emotionally.
I have learned that I am made in the image of God himself and he would not treat someone, speak to others or think about someone in a disrespectful manner. God would do to them what he would want done to him. I need to do the same thing to others as I would want them to do to me. I believe that God has a purpose for everyone and I need to look at the other person as someone God has placed in my path to show His love for them and to tell them about God’s salvation. God wants me to be respectful and to keep my thoughts pure towards others at all times. I have learned this through the Question of Morality/Ethics in my biblical worldview.
In this teaching, Jesus was saying that we treat one another with love and compassion as he have loved us as much as laying his life for our sake, in order for us to join him in the kingdom of God. He said that we should speak well even to those who curse and despitefully use us and abuse us because, our reward for such time is in heaven and it is God who will revenge about these things for us. He said that we should love our enemy also not only our friends because God loves us the same way and God does not discriminate from anyone, despite their falls.
The first rule and most important commandment in my opinion is to treat others the way you want to be treated. This is a very basic and well known unwritten rule but yet not many people abide by this rule. People tend to treat others as if they are of less importance or of lower class. Everyone is equal and everyone has the same rights so nobody should feel
"We find that the theological principle that people cannot achieve God's acceptance by keeping the law or by human effort alone (symbolized by circumcision). God's grace is given as a gift" This principle is timeless. It is not geared towards any culture. It is directed at all of those who believe Christ to be our Lord and Savior, is not time specific and is relevant to both the biblical reader as well as the contemporary. "God’s law shows people their sins. So it shows people that they need to trust Jesus. Only Jesus can free us from the punishment for our sins." "And it is not enough that we cease to do evil, but we must learn to do well. Our conversation will always be answerable to the principle which guides and governs us."
A fifth teaching of Jesus comes from chapter 5 verses 38-42 which explains “An eye for eye and a tooth for tooth.” Jesus explains that do not withstand a person of evil. If a person does something to you do something back but in a positive way so it will not count as revenge. Provide for the individuals who ask, and do not move in the opposite direction of the individuals who need to borrow.
Another way in which Christians are respectful to their holy book in everyday life is by following the teachings that the Bible contains, practically a second law of how they should live (the political law being the first).
Furthermore, if you cannot have ethics without God, which one of God’s teachings should be following. Should the teachings in the old testament championing an “eye for an eye” be tossed aside in favour of the new testament teaching of us to “turn the other cheek”. If God’s will is good, then it is both morally right to exact revenge, as well as demonstrate forgiveness to an injustice. I argue that this argument challenges the premise that God is omniscient as in the old testament, God commands and permits one act, and in the new testament contradicts and supports an entirely different act. If we follow the DCT and assume that as God’s will is good then both commands are correct, then it is up to the individual to decide which moral action to take. If such freedom is possible in making moral decisions, then divine command may not always be needed to satisfy our moral duties.
During biblical times crime not only affected society, but it was believed to have also been directed towards God himself. The Bible is the oldest book to reference with many directives to living life peacefully and without revenge. As retribution is considered a form of punishment, if not the first, the Bible itself explains that the punishment should not exceed the crime. Matthew 5:38 states, “You have heard that it has been said, eye for eye and tooth for tooth”. This passage is meant as a way to explain that the punishment should fit the crime. As a member of society, the offender was punished equally as brutal as the crime
The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31) God here clearly states that he wants his creation to be just as benevolent as he is. This is a very possible task that can be achieved if applied to our daily lives.
Henceforth it says to treat everyone with love and the way we expect others to treat us.