"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
This simple phrase is known as the "Golden Rule." Not surprisingly, it exists in a multitude of religions across the world. From that perspective, it is an area where we can find some common ground in discussing our differences of faith. However, to me, it also says something more. In fact, I feel that it speaks to a few areas of our lives.
First, I think that it speaks to how the existence of God is written on all of our hearts and made obvious to us regardless of our culture, location, or knowledge of the one true God. This thought is also known as "Natural Revelation" and is introduced to us by Paul in Romans 2:12-26:
"God will punish the gentiles when they sin, even though they never heard God's written law. And He will punish the Jews when they sin, for they do have the law. For it is not merely knowing the law that brings God's approval. Those who obey the law will be declared right in God's sight. Even when gentiles, who do not have God's written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts, they know right from wrong. They demonstrate that God's law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right. The day will surely come when God, by Jesus Christ, will judge everyone's secret life. This is my message."
This is a concept in which God has revealed Himself to everyone by nature, science, people around them, etc. enough that they instinctively know there is a creator. They can see and worship Him and Him alone. However, do not think that the existence of the Golden Rule across world religions indicate there are multiple ways to salvation. That is distinctly NOT the case. Jesus tells us in John 14:6 that "I am the way the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Further, Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:13-14: "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." So, you see, there is only one way to God, and that is through Christ Jesus.
To finish my first point, I feel that while there are some common moral values that can be found between major world religions, this does not make them the correct path to God. It also does NOT mean that we as Christians should take a holier than thou view when talking with our friends of other faiths/beliefs. In fact, we should approach them in love and respect as there are examples of people in other faiths demonstrating/living their moral values in ways that would, could and should shame many Christians.
The bolded text above leads me into my second point about the Golden Rule and a large part of why I feel there is such a backlash against Christianity today. Many Christians in reacting to the sins of they see in the world take a "holier than thou" approach. They feel they are doing their Christian duty of pointing out the world's sinful behaviour while ignoring the fact that we are all - regardless of our status with Christ - dealing with our sinful behaviour. Folks who are on the receiving end of this judgement see through our hypocrisy. Many Christians take and forget what is one of the most misapplied/misunderstood verses of the Bible - John 7:1-5:
"Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by you standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye, ' and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."
While many of us as Christians want to be held accountable for our actions, we want to be done so in a way that is loving and caring. How many of us when dealing with the sin of those around us are taking the approach of condemning people to hell while we are, ourselves, dealing with our own sinful behavior? How many of us are living our lives as examples of how we should live - according to our faith vs. continuing to hold onto some sins in our lives and looking for ways to justify them?
Be honest......
I know I am guilty of this. And, fact is, you are as well. It doesn't matter what the sin is or how big or small we feel that sin is. We all have it and it keeps us separated from God.
In conclusion, if you study all of the world religions, if only on the surface, you will very quickly find that Christianity is different in a single aspect that makes it unique. That aspect is when / how salvation is achieved. You see, in all of the world religions, you are given your moral values, or laws, and you must live life according to those laws. Hopefully at the end of your life, there are more positives than negatives and you will be let into heaven/paradise/insert appropriate term here. You live your life chasing and performing works, all the time hoping that you will make it, but never knowing for sure if you will.
In Christianity, all that is needed is faith in Jesus. Jesus is standing at the door - up front - and is willing to accept you EXACTLY as you ARE at that point in time - warts and all. Because His grace is sufficient and His blood alone can atone us for our sins. That is the key power of salvation within Christianity. It is freely given and is not something that is earned.
