LENT RESOLUTIONS 2012

Do not do to others what angers you if done to you by others- Socrates

St Paul reminds us that through Roman 2:1: "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man. Whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things." We can often see our own faults more clearly in other people.

Our 2012 Lent resolutions we need to:

• ·        Be careful in when we  make our  judgment of others

•    Be Persevere in looking to God for help in making proper discernment

• ·   Be thoughtful when we treat others, treat them like we want to be  treated

The main focus here is that all these reflect what is true with most people; they know the rule, but don't live by it; we need to continue reading the Bible which teaches and forces us to live by it; Jesus was the only one who showed us an example of living by it and I conclude by saying that Jesus is truly our Lord, who wants us to live by the “golden rule" and he taught that the Golden Rule will govern   our life!

What about Doctrine of other Great philosophers looks the issue:

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•  In The Doctrine of the Mean 13, written about 500 BCE,Confucius says, "What you do not want others to do to you, do not do to others." 

•  Isocrates (c. 375 BCE) said, "Do not do to others what would anger you if done to you by others."

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• The Hindu Mahabharata, written around 150 BCE, teaches, "This is the sum of all true righteousness: deal with others as thou wouldst thyself be dealt by."

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•   I treat those who are good with goodness. And I also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. I am honest with those who are honest. And I am also honest with those who are dishonest. Thus honesty is attained. (Taoism. Tao Te Ching 49)

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•  Conquer anger by love. Conquer evil by good. Conquer the stingy by giving. Conquer the liar by truth. (Buddhism. Dhammapada 223)

The other different way to talk about “Do not do to others what angers you if done to you by others”

•     Think about this, if there is a certain type of behavior that you find especially irritating in others, you may have that same problem yourself. It's just that you can't see it when you do it.

•   What kind of behavior in others angers you most?  Is it greed? Selfishness? Aloofness? Or maybe laziness, prejudice, stubbornness or gossip? Think carefully, for in your answer may well be a clue to your own blind spot "for you who judge practice the same things."

How God can help us to walk with me in walking in a perfect way in judging others and feeling good about myself?

• ·  Jesus said. "With what judgment you judge, you will be judged: and with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you" (Matt. 7:2). In other words, God will often see to it that you are treated the way you treat other people.

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•  Jacob was a young man of great talent and ability, but he had a serious fault: He would lie, connive and scheme to get his own way, without a thought for other people's feelings.

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•    Jacob deceived his father Isaac into blessing him, instead of his brother Esau, with the birthright. That incident split up the family and caused much suffering and ill will (Gen. 27).

Therefore God can also reveal your blind spot to you through circumstances.