God's Standards

God’s Standards

Exodus 20:1-17

            Mohandes Gandhi earned the title mahatma (“great soul”) through his non-violent leadership among the Indian people, first in South Africa, and later in his home country.  His accomplishments are well-known, and his methods have been studied and adapted by leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr. in his struggle for equal rights.

            Gandhi was not a Christian; he was a Hindu, but he was aware of the teachings of Jesus Christ, including the Sermon on the Mount.  In a sense, his non-violent approach to bringing about change descended directly from the example of Jesus. 

            Gandhi said: “Seven blunders of the world that lead to violence; wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice, politics without principle.”  The devastation caused by these blunders is evident in the political, socioeconomic and religious arenas in our country today.  Look around! 

See the lack of compassion and understanding in those whose wealth comes not from the work of their own hands, but from inheritance, or from illicit activities.  The “Let them eat cake!” attitude evidenced by so many of these people makes it impossible for them to relate to their poorer brothers and sisters in the human family.

See the wasted lives of those who put personal pleasure before everything else.  Their lack of care and concern for those who might get in the way of their search for more sensual gratification is a prime example of self-centeredness.

See those who pursue knowledge as an end in itself.  They may impress with their erudition, but their lack of character soon makes it evident that there is no wisdom in them.

See those whose immoral business practices result in death and destruction.  Lives are ruined, the environment is destroyed, all in the lust for more money than they can ever spend.

See those who believe in the absolute rule of science.  God chooses to reveal scientific knowledge to humankind so that we will understand better both God and ourselves.  Without this perspective our discoveries are more likely to cause devastation and destruction than to improve the human condition.

See those whose worship is self-congratulation rather than gratitude to God for the blessings they receive.  In their hands religion becomes not a way to God, but a cudgel to attack those who don’t agree with their point of view.

See those who put self-interest and party above country and people.  They enact laws and establish policies to benefit themselves and those who support them, regardless of the harm they may do to others.

God will have none of it.  As far back as Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness, God set standards for humanity to follow.  God comes first.  God has created us and sustains us.  If we put God ahead of everything and everyone else, God will bless us—perhaps not with material goods or long, care-free lives, but with the peace that comes with God’s presence.

Once our relationship with God is as it should be, God calls us to relate to our fellow humans in ways that are ethical and compassionate—exactly as God behaves.  If we follow God’s commandments—if we live up to the standards God has set for us, we will have no trouble avoiding the blunders that Gandhi says lead to violence, and that God says are unacceptable.