Dogs are strange unusual animals. They can be warm and loving one minute and the next, they bark uncontrollably!!! The same could be said for human beings (except for some of us, we yell and do not bark). So, the question arises in my mind, is there a list for humans as well??? The following Scriptures are a good place to start...
Matthew, Chapter 7
1 “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. 2 For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye? 4 Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.
6 “Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
7 “Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! 12 Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
6 “Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
7 “Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! 12 Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
I surprised myself by choosing this passage. My first thoughts were of the 10 commandment (Deuteronomy 5) and that passage in Galatians that refers to the works of the flesh versus the works of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19ff), but I chose the Sermon on the Mount instead. Why? Well, for one thing, you could just read verse 12, so one verse is a whole lot easier than a group of them. But, I selected this one because of the word THEREFORE. Jesus just doesn't give us the teaching, he gives us examples of actions that LEAD to the teaching. Things like being judgemental, hypocritical, insensitive to the understanding capability of others (vs.6) and a failure to comprehend the blessings that God gives- all these lead to verse 12. Of course this is the pivotal verse. But concepts do not exist in a vacuum; life is not just theoretical in nature, it is something to be experienced. As I enjoy my canine friends on a daily basis, I am reminded of my fellow human beings as well. So, the therefore highlighted above applies both to canines and humans as well. If you have a dog, give it a hug today- if you are blessed with family; do likewise. Why??? - THEREFORE, IS THE ANSWER!!!