Monthly Archives: January 2015

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:48 am on January 28, 2015  

Do Not Cause That Pain in Others – Rev. David J. Schreffler

January 28, 2015

A disciple asked the Buddha what was the essence of all of his teachings, and he said, “Think about the single thing that causes you the most pain. Go and live so that you do not cause that pain in others.” Buddha (563 – 483 BCE)

Jesus said “Do to others what you would want them to do to you.” (Luke 6:31)

Here is the golden rule in an “unknown” version and in the one we all quote. Jesus was making this statement toward the end of his “Sermon on the Plain” (Luke 6:17 – 26) which includes not only blessings but woes as well. Buddha makes us think of it in a different way – to think of that which causes us pain, and live so that you do not cause that pain in others. This brings the Golden Rule alive, because it forces us to look at things from a different angle. Instead of saying “Do to others what you would want them to do to you”, we now are confronted with “Don’t do to others what you do not like done to yourself.” But it actually raises the bar for us, because not only are we to think about how we like to be treated, but we are to imagine what causes us the most pain, and then form our treatment of others accordingly.

Both form and inform our behavior – but one forces us into an uncomfortable place. No one likes to think about painful experiences, but knowing what gives us pain can help us avoid doing the same to others. The direction to “do unto others” is not just a “happy” way to try to be nice to people, it is a challenge to us to understand what causes us pain, and then avoid doing this in all of our interactions with others. It is always good to be nice to others, but it is a higher calling to know our own pain, and then never inflict that pain on another. It is a higher calling, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, it will help us live into the higher calling of faith.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 5:13 am on January 27, 2015  

Faith – Rev. David J. Schreffler

January 27, 2015

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1

“This teaching about faith is plainly and clearly treated by Paul: “For by grace you have been saved through faith…it is the gift of G*d. (Ephesians 2:8ff) Hebrews 11:1 teaches about faith in such a way as to make it clear that faith is not merely knowledge of historical events but is a confidence in G*d and in the fulfillment of his promises…assurance that G*d is gracious to us.” Augsburg Confession (1530)

The Greek word for faith is Pistis. According to Strong’s Concordance, “pístis is derived from peithô which means “persuade, be persuaded” – to be persuaded, come to trust. Faith is always a gift from God, and never something that can be produced by people. In short, faith for the believer is “God’s divine persuasion” – and therefore distinct from human belief (confidence), yet involving it. The Lord continuously births faith in the yielded believer so they can know what He prefers, i.e. the persuasion of His will (1 Jn 5:4).”

Have you ever thought of faith as G*d’s divine persuasion? My experience in life is that faith, as a gift through the Holy Spirit, comes in little nudges and big shoves, through small hunches and profound experiences, and in little epiphanies and huge “Ah Ha” moments. Through these experiences we learn how G*d is active in our lives – not absent, but nudging and walking and sometimes pushing us toward a deeper relationship and a better understanding of how G*d works in our lives and in the world. And as we “See” G*d working (and I put “see” in quotes because often G*d’s actions begin in ways we never perceive until they are fully active) faith grows as we begin to trust and to believe that G*d is gracious and merciful.

Pastor Dave