Treating people the way you want to be treated is called the Golden Rule.  Regardless of how you feel about them, whether or not you understand them, whether or not they look or talk like you, whether or not you share common heritage or interests, or whether or not you even ‘like’ them.

The Golden Rule is the firewall against revenge, pettiness, slander, greed, vindictiveness, prejudice, or partiality.  And it is the only rule that inclines us toward a peaceful and compassionate community. But each time we transgress this Golden Rule, we devolve bit by bit towards inhumanity.  

Such a simple phrase with such intense weight levels us all.  The Golden Rule is an equalizer that erases categories of privilege and oppressed, and places the ability to change the world squarely in the hands of each individual regardless of the corrupt and unjust systems that deceive us into thinking we have no power or control. We still get to choose.  It is not always an easy choice but it is a choice nonetheless.

The Golden Rule demands integrity.  The Golden Rule demands tenacity and faithfulness that proves itself especially when one possesses great power or when one is under intense pressure.  And, it is impossible to obey without intentional humility and intense spiritual fortitude. God help us!

Perhaps this is why we abandon it so quickly.  It’s much easier and quite understandable to want to match energy, to retaliate, to return evil for evil.  But the cost becomes our own humanity along with the possibility of any real peace within or without.

So what will we choose?  While the lines that separate us become deep grooves and ruts – who among us will choose to be and to do differently?  

Jesus expects that anyone who follows Him would attempt to live by His rule – this Golden Rule.  Are you, are we among these?  

A tree is told by the fruit it bears, yes?  

God help us all to possess such integrity.  It is the only hope for our humanity.  

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Luke 6:31

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam