By R.A. Mathews

Have you ever met a person who was able to live the Christian life without failing the Lord, who never stumbled, filled with unwavering strength of character, a person of steadfast mercy?

I knew such a man for many years. He died when I was young — before I thought to ask him his secret. Eventually, I think I figured it out. 

The answer is in the beautiful sea of red. Let me show you.

Matthew tells of a time when Jesus climbed a mountain and sat down there to teach. If you have a red-letter edition of the Bible, Matthew relays three chapters of Jesus’ words — they are a beautiful sea of red pages.

The Lord included many of His most important thoughts in this Sermon on the Mount, including the Lord’s Prayer. He began with the famous Beatitudes:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

“Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:3-5, NASB).

There are eight or nine Beatitudes in all. 

Jesus moved on to one of His greatest teachings: “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthews 7:12, NASB).

Many know this Golden Rule, and I thought about it as I was listening to the “Via Dolorosa,” one of the most perfect pieces of music, telling the story of Jesus’ walk to His crucifixion. It’s a work created by the Hand of God. The same is true of “Was It a Morning Like This,” which describes the Resurrection.

Listen to them and see if you don’t agree. 

Both are songs made famous by Sandy Patti with her extraordinary voice. Many may recall that Patti fell on hard times during the 90s after her divorce and confession of adultery. She knew it was wrong and sought forgiveness from God and her fans. 

Even so, the Christian community shunned her. Christian radio stations refused to play her work, and Christian magazines no longer wanted to interview her. All went quiet with Patti for nearly a decade, a woman who at one time had over 200 concerts a year. 

Did the Christian community extend to Sandi Patty the words of Jesus, “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you.”

The harder situation is with Christian artists who have not sought forgiveness from God. One dug her heels in when she was criticized for disappointing the Lord, refusing to acknowledge her mistake.

There are many who sing secular music and talk of being a Christian. One recently re-released a song she named “Slut.” 

“And if they call me a slut

You know it might be worth it for once… .”

Millions of young girls who idolize her will sing those words and think: Ahh, being a slut is cool! 

It isn’t cool.

I have a young author friend who has gone down the same road. She’s a Christian and truly loves the Lord, but her writing doesn’t reflect that. I look for opportunities to talk to her, to do for her what another Christian did for me. 

In fact, I dedicated my book, “Emerald Coast,” to Patricia Zintgraff, who is now deceased, but was the mother of one of my closest friends. Pat read the early drafts of “Emerald Coast” and told me I didn’t need to use curse words in my pieces of police fiction. I am so grateful to her — she was right, and I took those words out. 

But someone needed to tell me.

I’m also thankful for guidance from an older woman in my church. I ran into her at the post office one day and, as we talked, I said something I truly believed. She gently took the opposite side of my position. The Holy Spirit stood with us in that moment, and I knew she was right.

I dearly love her for turning me around!

As I said, I always wondered how this man I once knew could be so on target in how he cared for other people. I see now that he treated every person as he would want them to treat him.

I encourage you to read that beautiful sea of red — Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Do it each day with the Holy Spirit, focusing particularly on these words:

“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you.”

The Rev. Mathews (BA, MDiv, JD) is a faith columnist and the author of the Reaching to God series and Emerald Coast: The Vendetta. Contact her at Hello@RAMathews.com. 

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