What has clearly been overlooked in these precarious times in which we live is the “Love Ethic” which is a principle that refers to an individual’s ability to govern and adjudicate decisions based upon the ethic of Divine love. “Love Ethic” is a principle that expresses the need to love the other person not based upon any other qualifying factor such as race, creed, religion, sexual preference, etc. but based upon unconditional love that recognizes the other person as a centered ego (the true meaning of the term individual) made in the image and likeness of God the Father with the distinction of being a free moral agent. Luke 6:27-38 embodies the “Love Ethic” principle, however, it is the 38th verse that is the most telling. This verse is usually presented for the purpose of tithing however, contextually that is not what The Lord was referring to. He was referring to the detriment of judging the other person. He reveals that in us adjudicating as it relates to another person’s life we will receive that same adjudication (judgment) but at a greater measure and intensity. It’s interesting to note how we judge that others should receive the death penalty until our son, daughter, friend, etc is being strapped down and hooked to the needles. We judge an individual who is struggling with alcohol and drug addiction until it is one of our beloved family members or friends. We judge people in a gay lifestyle, we judge people who have different political or religious views, we judge people who are hurting, sick, afflicted, tormented, who want to be delivered and free until the day when death brings about a deathly manifestation in our own lives. Until we’re the center of the gossip, scorn, ridicule, and intense hate with it being given back to us with a greater intensity and then we cry for mercy but Jesus says none will be afforded because we did not give any in our time of strength. We must learn that the “Love Ethic” i.e. Divine Love is not based upon emotion or affect for the other person; it is rather based upon a spiritually mature response of good will towards all mankind with understanding that in adjudicating, hating, or harming the other person we should fully expect that deathly manifestation to be measured back to us with greater intensity. (Just reflecting in the early morning hour)
-Bishop Dr. Guy A. Cox