<FONT size="2">I want to bring you a message that was inspired by another that I heard from one of the morning personalities on a local Christian radio station. You all can listen while you surf, just go to www.ksbj.org (Brant, was that plug shameless enough??)</FONT s></FONT c>

<FONT size="3"><FONT COLOR="purple">Confucius was China’s most brilliant philosopher. He lived between 551 to 449 BC. He published many tidbits of philosophy, many of which we regard as having worth in society, even today. I am sure you have heard of what is likely the most repeated quote, the “golden rule.” In one of his most famous writings, Analects 15:23 it says “don't do to others what you would not want yourself.” Well, hey, that sounds pretty good huh? I think that I can live with that. This follows the modern trend of live and let live. There are a lot of us who would say that yep, I can live with that motto and still be a Christian. While Confucius was a brilliant philosopher, indeed, he missed out on an important detail. He never knew about God! You have heard the expression, “close, but no banana” well that is what Confucius was, as well as his philosophy in this matter. Some five hundred years later Jesus came to the earth in the flesh and set the record straight. Not only did he straighten out the wording he raised the bar! See if you can discern the difference.</FONT c>

The Word:
Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

<FONT COLOR="purple">There, did you catch that. Confucius said “don’t do” and Jesus said to “do” to others. On the surface it appears the same, but it is not. “Do” is an action word, it has a positive impact. In other words if I were to live Confucius’ manner than I could “do” nothing and I will get nothing in return. Gee, in his own words Confucius encouraged people to simply avoid issues and to “do” nothing. See that means nothing, no respect, no love, no blessings, nothing. To live as a Christian we must “do”, we must respect, we must love, we must bless others. We are called to be different from the world. We are supposed to rise above the standards that are set by society.</FONT c>

The Word:
Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

<FONT COLOR="purple">That passage pretty well clears up any misconceptions as to what our focus should be. While Confucius was nifty, he was an earthly being, so his thinking was earthly in its form. We are the body of Christ. We must try to be “do-ers” There are two commands that Christ gave that set us far from most of humanity. Jesus said to “Do” and then he told his disciples to “Go.” So we are to “go” out into the world spreading His word and we are to “do” to every one we meet. Sitting by while our neighbors or even family are on a one way ride to hell, is not what God would have us do. We must reach out to them all on our own and touch their lives.</FONT c>

<FONT COLOR="blue">Pray with me: Father I did not realize that I was to be different in this way. I really thought I could “live and let live.” Lord I need your help to change my life today. Help me to “go,” help me to “do.” Even to those people I don’t like much Lord. I really am going to need you to give me strength with them. Give me courage Father, give me the boldness to be your child. I praise you, I thank you for your answer to this prayer that I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen </FONT c></FONT s>


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<FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial">This message has been edited by SLattier on 02-12-2001 at 03:44 AM</font>

Excellent Bro. Steve! Just like that song by dc talk "Love is a Verb"... barely squeaking by into heaven ain't really livin, and it definitely isn't what He would have us do... would be a life wasted, for sure...

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- Allen