Civilized or Barbarian
Respect or law
Matithyah (Matthew) 5:47 “And if you embrace your brother only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax gatherers do the same?”
Recently, a good friend of mind posted a question on Facebook. “What does it take for a civilization to be civilized.” I have been pondering this question ever since. Most of the comments to this question dealt with law. That is, in order to be civilized a society had to have laws, even certain laws. But as Yeshua taught us, do not even the tax gatherers do that. Remember, tax gatherers were considered the lowest of the low in that society.
The question this presents to us is not “how” do you treat your fellow man, but “why?” Why do you treat you fellow man the way you do? Do you treat him in a good way because the law dictates that you must, or suffer the consequences? If this is the case, then I would submit to you that such a person is not civilized at all. For the “tax gatherers” do the same thing.
Matithyah (Matthew) 5:46 “For if you love them that love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax gatherers do the same?”
You have heard it said, “Respect is earned.” But I say unto you, respect is given, freely. For even the heathen give respect to those who are of like mind.
The law cannot keep someone from breaking into you house and stealing your property. The law can only punish the offender afterwards. This is civilization, but it is not being civilized. Being civilized is having respect for ones fellow man, particularly those who are different.
If someone differs in their view in politics, do you respect that person’s opinion, or do you call them stupid behind their back (or even to their face)? If so, then, where is the respect (the love)? There is none. And if there is none, then such a person is not civilized. He is not a mature man in Mashiach Yeshua.
The mature (civilized) man has learned to live above the rule of law. He loves and respects his fellow man in each and every case. Especially those that differ from him whether that be in politics, culture, or religion.
Matithyah (Matthew) 7:12 “Therefore, however you want people to treat you, treat them in the same manner, because this summarizes the Law and the Prophets."
Again, respect is first given before it is received. Respect is not earned for those who truly follow Mashiach.
Yochanan (John 14:26) “But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you.”
You are not the teacher. I am not the teacher. The Spirit of Mashiach is the Teacher. No matter how much you think a person is wrong, you cannot change that person’s mind. No amount of convincing or arguing will do that. Only the Holy Spirit can do that and He will do it in His time. But if a person mistreats another because he thinks he is wrong, and does not respect and love that person in spite of this difference, he will lose his brother.
And how does one know if a person is a fellow believer in Mashiach Yeshua. First, if that person claims to be so, them one should accept this testimony, for this is how one would expect to be treated by others, believed on this matter.
Next, even though that person may not live up to your standards, do not make him any less your brother. He is simply in a different place in his walk with Mashiach Yeshua. Give him grace to learn and walk as the Spirit of Mashiach teaches and reveals to him. While you and I can be an instrument in this process, this happens best if we walk according to Mashiach, loving and respecting the other person for who and what he is at that present moment.
The bottom line is this. We have been taught through His written word that we are to love and respect others, who and what they are. Any changes to be made in other people, yea, even in oneself, are to be done at the guidance of the Holy Spirit and through His power. We do not have that right or power to attempt to “fix” people, to bring them over to our beliefs or point of view or even to the same manner in which we live. YHWH does not desire, nor want, cookie cutter people. He has made each and every person to be an individual, fulfilling and individual place in His kingdom.
YHWH is the one sitting on the throne, not you. Stop acting like you are the one on the throne and every other single person must agree with you.
Shabbat Shalom
Zerubbabel ben Emunah
www.onetorahforall.com