Man Up

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?  Do not even the publicans the same?  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others?  Do not even the publicans so?  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.  Matthew 5:46-48

Christianity is something more than humanity.  It is a serious question, and which we should frequently put to ourselves, "What do we more than others?  What excelling thing do we do?  We know more than others; we talk more of the things of God than others; we profess and have promised, more than others; God has done more for us, and therefore justly expects more from us than from others; the glory of God is more concerned in us than in others; but what do we more than others?"

Wherein do we live above the rate of the children of this world?  Are we not carnal and do we not walk as men, below the character of Christians?  In this, especially we must do more than others, that while every one will render good for good, we must render good for evil; and this will speak a nobler principle, and is consonant to a higher rule, than the most men act by.

Others salute their brethren, they embrace those of their own party, and way, and opinion; but we must not so confine our respect; but love our enemies, otherwise what reward have we?  We cannot expect the reward of Christians, if we rise no higher than the virtue of publicans.  (Matthew Henry)

This sums up Christianity in it's entirety.  Matthew Henry challenges us to ask these questions of ourselves to see if we are in alignment with who Christ is--a type of plum line to check our Christian walk.

Veterans Day today; thinking about my father, nephew, uncle, and my late grandfather and father-in-law.  All of whom served our country.  I'm off school today and will spend it with my daughter.  We have lunch and a movie planned.  I also have to e-mail my professor because I noticed I have two major projects due next Thursday--next Thursday and I haven't begun to start on them.  Not only that; I have no idea what they are!  So we will see where this is going; at least I'm not having a break down over it--that's a small step for mankind.