I'm trying to teach my grand children some values from the Bible. Even if you are NOT a believer, you have to think that the Bible is a good guide to living in this world.
One of the things I've tried, and will continue to try, to drill into their heads is the "Golden Rule". No, not "he that has the gold makes the rules" but rather "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them". That's how I learned it. It sounds better like this: Treat others how you want to be treated. I think that's pretty clear. If you want people to treat you nicely, you treat them nicely. I know that when I'm treated badly, I tend to react badly and when I'm treated well, I react in a nice manner. When you''re at a restaurant and your server serves you well, you tend to leave a bigger tip. If you server neglects you and never checks on you and acts like he/she couldn't care less, your tip will be a tad smaller if you leave any at all.
All that to say, treat others well. It also goes along with Matthew 5:43-45
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:
That's a tough lesson to learn. It's very hard to love your enemies and to pray for them, but that's what we are to do. I'm sure we all have people who have hurt us and we consider out enemies. These are the people we need to pray for and to pray about our attitudes toward them.
Another thing I've just started trying to teach the grand kids is forgiveness. The Lord's prayer goes like this:
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matt 6:8-15
(emphasis is mine). Verse 12 says "and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors". I have read other versions of this and debts and debtors is replaced by trespasses so it would read "and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespassed against us"
The point of that is though Christ died on the cross, was buried and rose again so we may have forgiveness of sins, we are also to forgive those who have done us wrong. Again, not an easy task. Especially if you feel like the person in question hurt you deeply. The only thing you can do is to ask God to help you forgive them and (going along with the previous paragraphs) treat them well, be kind to them. One of the things that cause people to have a negative impact on our life is the lack of a forgiving heart. Holding the anger, bitterness and wrath inside you can only have negative impact on your attitude and your health.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Eph 4:31-32
I'm sure I can go further, but you get my point. Be nice to everybody, including your enemies, forgive everybody and trust God to take care of the rest.
God bless you all.
