Christian Ethics Donald R. Fox I was mowing my large back yard lawn; it was Saturday, July 25th, 2009. As some may know, our minds wander when we mow the lawn. I was thinking about a recent event that drew national news attention. The event was a confrontation between Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. of Harvard University and a local policeman. I thought about how I would have responded if I were in the same situation as Professor Gates. If a policeman came to my house and said, “There is a report that this house was being burglarized,” my response would be, “Good day Officer, please come in. May I show you my identification? This is my house; I have lived here for a very long time. Please sit down!” Showing off some of my family pictures on my living room wall, I would offer him a cup of coffee. You know, friends, in a very short time, I believe we would have departed in peace. As he left my home, I would say, “Come by and see me sometime and have a cup of coffee.” O yes, I am a friendly fellow! “You’re Not Going to Hurt Me, Are You?” As I continued mowing the lawn, thinking about this Professor Gates situation, my mind drifted to an incident that happened over forty years ago. I was living in the small town of Sherman, Mississippi. Sherman is a little north of Tupelo, Mississippi (the birthplace of Elvis Presley). I remember that I was outside in my yard when a car came sputtering to a stop in front of my house. An elderly black lady was the driver. I walked up to her car and asked if I could be of some help. She responded, “I have to get home, I don’t live far from here.” I said, “I would be happy to bring you home, if you want.” She responded, “O please!” I got my car, and she sat in the back seat. I am sure I chitchatted with her; you see, I am of a friendly sort. Out of the blue, she said, “You’re not going to hurt me, are you?” What she said surprised me. I could have cried! My quick response was, “No Madam, I’m a Christian.” In no time she was home. With a few words in departing, I returned home. I never saw her again! I was deeply saddened that this nice elderly woman thought that I may hurt her. It distressed me to think that this lady may have suffered bad treatment and had distrust of a man that only wanted to be of help. We can only wonder about the brutal treatment some suffer by the hands of evil beings. My heart breaks thinking of such things. Let Us Practice Christian Principles in Our Lives. Are we perfect? No, of course not! Yet, we can let our light shine. Many hostile arguments could be resolved in peace, if we practice Christ like principles. Christians Are the Salt of the Earth “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” (Matthew 7:13 KJV). Christians Are the Light of the World “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:14-16).
Posted on: Sat, 28 Sep 2013 09:02:19 +0000
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