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THE GREAT ASSEMBLY |
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Christian Behaviour |
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| Below is an interpretation of standards of Christian
Behaviour found in various sources, including the Didache. The
Didache is a book of the 1st Century CE apparently used in the
early congregations. Amongst other things it describes Two Ways,
one of Life and one of Death. These may have come from an
existing Jewish tradition. Here the Way of Life is called The Christian Way. Most of the standards are
what should be expected in a properly regulated society, more or
less. So it could be said that they are |
| Reasons |
The Two Ways | |
| The Christian Way | The non-Christian Way |
| The Way of Life | The Way of Death |
| if you sin against Yahweh, who will intercede for you? | |
| love
Yahweh your maker | do not love Yahweh your maker |
| do not blaspheme | blaspheme |
| do not deface Yahweh 's image | deface Yahweh 's image |
| do not harbour wicked thoughts | harbour wicked thoughts |
| remember your lack
of spiritual worth | esteem your spiritual worth |
| mourn over sin | rejoice in sin |
| pray | do not pray |
| accept what comes since it comes from Yahweh | reject all that comes
which is contrary to you or your desires |
| do not look for omens | look for omens |
| avoid
the practice of calling on the help of spirits or spirit forces | practise calling on the help of spirits or spirit forces |
| avoid idolatry, and being a witness to it | practise idolatry, and be a witness to it |
| if you sin against another, Yahweh will be the arbiter | |
| love yourself | do not love yourself |
| love your neighbour as yourself | love yourself more than your neighbour |
| love and value truth | love and value falsehood |
| learn goodness | learn evil |
| pray for your enemies | pray for your friends |
| beware your material appetites | enjoy your material appetites |
| practise
constraint and formality | be uninhibited and informal |
| be modest | be immodest |
| avoid drunkenness | practise drunkenness |
| avoid a roving eye | have a roving eye |
| avoid unclean talk | talk uncleanly |
| beware of lust | be lustful |
| do not fornicate | fornicate |
| do not commit (practise)
adultery | practise (commit) adultery |
| do not commit (practise)
sodomy | practise (commit) sodomy |
| learn to be patient | be impatient |
| learn to be calm | be agitated |
| learn to be gentle | be harsh |
| learn forebearance | be vindictive |
| avoid fanaticism | be a fanatic |
| avoid quarrelling | be quarrelsome |
| avoid hot-temperedness | be hot-tempered |
| avoid anger | be angry |
| do not retaliate | retaliate |
| do not bear malice | bear malice |
| do not
practise murder | practise murder |
| do not choose to stand apart | stand apart |
| choose
to keep step with the righteous | keep step only with the powerful |
| avoid factions | join factions |
| do not be too opinionated | be too opinionated |
| associate with honest and humble folk | do not associate with honest and humble folk |
| do not
associate with the eminent | associate with the eminent |
| do not covet | covet |
| tell no lies | tell lies |
| do not take what is not yours, nor prevent others from possessing what is theirs, by force, or threat, or disregard | take what is not yours, and prevent others from possessing what is theirs, by force, or threat, or disregard |
| do not claim your own | claim your own |
| learn compassion | be indifferent |
| give to those who ask | do not give to those who ask |
| do not
take and forget giving | take what you do not need, and forget giving |
| daily keep company with the saints | daily keep evil company |
| be respectful | be insolent |
| respect the
teaching you have had | despise the teaching you have had |
| be obedient | be disobedient |
| teach
your children to fear Yahweh | do not teach your
children to fear Yahweh |
| be just | be unjust |
| try to make peace between those at variance | try to prevent accord between those at variance |
| do not give orders sharply | give orders sharply |
| Reasons |
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There are standards of Christian behaviour, which can be learned
from the Bible. Christians do not observe these, and
consequently are accused of being hypocrites. Standard Christian
excuses include, "1'm only human", "I am not perfect", "these
things happen", and other similar sentiments. If Luther had
agreed with these types of sentiments he would never have nailed
his theses to the door, and the Christian world would be
governed by Rome. If you really agree with these sentiments, why
aren't you a Catholic?
It is not good enough for Christians to excuse their lapses in behaviour, when challenged by others. Even though these others may not be Christian, it is a proper Christian response to apologise and change your behaviour and be seen to change, or to confront the challenge, not to excuse it or ignore the challenge or the person. An excuse or disregard suggests to the challenger that they are not deemed worthy of a proper response, and are somehow inferior. Christians should never be involved in treating others as inferiors. And be aware of your behaviour at the end of the conversation - don't use the words of oppression to close, otherwise you will be confirmed as a hypocrite. If you are accused of being a hypocrite, find out why!
If you are challenged over your behaviour, make inquiry and if necessary apologise and change your behaviour and be seen to change. Otherwise use the opportunity to share your belief accurately. If you wish to avoid these confontations, be aware of your behaviour, and the standards with which Yahweh and Yeshua are asking you to comply. |
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Christian Behaviour |
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| ©GDL@TheGreatAssembly.com |