10.10-How Jesus develops civil discussion
10.10-
There are things demanded of a citizen of a democracy. Respect for the people in authority. Paying taxes. Settling things as much as possible out of court. Grace. Forgiveness. Loving your neighbor. Praying for your enemy. Telling the truth. These are basic choices necessary for a successful democracy.
G. K. Chesterton
Matthew 5.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may [ap]be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Therefore [aq]you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
There are things demanded of a citizen of a democracy. Respect for the people in authority. Paying taxes. Settling things as much as possible out of court. Grace. Forgiveness. Loving your neighbor. Praying for your enemy. Telling the truth. These are basic choices necessary for a successful democracy.
G. K. Chesterton
Civilization is not a development. It is a decision. It is the decisive people who have become civilized; it is the indecisive, otherwise called the higher skeptics, or the idealistic doubters who have remained barbarians.
Matthew 5.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may [ap]be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Therefore [aq]you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
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