Christianity 101 Primer

"Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.

"I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.”—Yeshua, the Anointed One (from The Message-Luke 6: 31-36)

_______________________________

The author of our faith and practice makes it very plain.

Our behavior is to be like His.

The Golden Rule, some call it. It has been true through the centuries. “Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you,” as the King James translation puts it. This means extending grace prior to, not after, others extend grace to you.

The converse human perspective—to withhold grace until someone else extends it to you-is common, “pawnbroker-level” behavior (as Peterson so eloquently analogizes)! It is nothing out of the ordinary. That is the way everyone in the human race behaves. Tit for tat, you hurt me, I hurt you.

No one, including Jesus, says it is going to be easy.

But to act as Jesus did, forgiving others ahead of time, ahead of their remorse or their admission of guilt for being hurtful, praying: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”…and “Not my will, but Thy will be done” –it is following His commandment, his example.

Somehow, I believe that He will give the grace and the willpower to make it so in my heart, if I just pray that prayer and be open to His eternal command. It is good for my heart if I am the one who forgives—without demanding remorse.

…  that is true Kingdom living.

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