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Articles
The 3 Rules of Life
Let’s look at the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-35, and notice the three rules or philosophies of life.
In verse 30 we read, “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.” The thieves here, live by the Iron Rule: Do unto others before they do it unto you. Might makes right. Survival of the fittest. What yours is mine, and I going to take it.
In verses 31-32 “And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.” The priest and the Levite lived by the Silver Rule of life: Do not to others what you would not have them to you. What’s mine is mine and I’ll keep it.
In verses 33-34 we read, “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” This Samaritan lived by the Golden Rule of Life: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” It’s the mind set, what’s mine is yours, and I’ll share it. This rule includes the negative side that I will not hurt you, but also the positive side of what we ought to do to help in times of need. Which rule of life do you live by?
