Dear Editor,

There are attempts on the part of many philo-sophers and religious scholars to undermine the teachings of Jesus
as secondary or similar to the other world renowned teachers or ‘gurus’ who lived before and after Jesus. I am
glad Rev. K. A John is distinct when he clarifies that the
teachings of Jesus are higher compared when to that of other world ‘gurus’. In the teachings of all other ‘gurus’ we see a negative approach. However, none but Jesus ever put it in its positive form. Therefore Jesus’ rule is truly the Golden rule while the others are only silver rule.

Thomas John, New Delhi

Dear Editor,

Although I have read Matthew 7: 12 many a time, it was thru’ revive I heard about the ‘golden rule’ for the first time in my life. The title given by Bible scholars to that verse is indeed wonderful. The articles in the recent issue have all been instrumental in building me up in my Christian life. For example, the ‘Just One Minute’ by Rev. Dr. T.Valson Abraham contains nuggets of truth on the golden rule. There is no doubt that God does not give us the right to withhold from others what we would not want withheld from us. The Golden Rule is a command to love others even as God loves us – be it even those who hate us! Let this golden rule be the rule of our lifestyle.

Dear ‘revive’,

Rather than giving laws to people, Jesus set examples for us which he expected us to follow. What is unique in Jesus is that everything Jesus commanded us to do He did himself. John K. Mathew in his editorial says that Jesus could show His love to people by laying down his life for them. Instead he wants people to lay down their life for Him. This is the core ethical value of Christianity that which sums up all the laws. For Christians, the Golden rule must become a way of life wherever they live. I pray that God may help us to follow the Jesus’ model.

Dear Editor,

That the Golden Rule is the essence of the Law and the Prophets is true. Law is the revelation of the will of God to his Chosen people. Jesus revealed the will of God thru’ his Sermon on the Mount. The Golden rule as we see in Mathew 7:12 is the gist of Jesus’ teachings or the will of God. The ultimate message of the law and the prophets is that human beings must change their lives, behave as godly creatures so that they can preserve the communion with God and thus show that God’s gift calls for a corresponding human task. This essence of the law should be our guiding principle.

Dear Editor,

The Golden rule exposed in the previous issue of revive is very relevant in this modern age of selfishness and materialism. The will of God for humanity is revealed in the Bible. The Old Testament rules of conduct served as an oasis in the desert for the weak and thirsty and as a light house for those who searched for ethical direction in a world of lawlessness. P.G. Immanuel has well described the special characteristics of the golden rule such as divinity, integrity, empathy, sensiti-vity and longevity (eternity). The Golden rule must be used as the guiding force in today’s world.

Dear Editor,

The restoration motive of the Golden Rule is presented in the article of Rev. Phinni Joseph. who stated very truly that the same rule was used to deal with the social orientation of the covenant commu-nity. This can be achieved only through careful maintainence of family relations intact. People of God must consciously handle with wisdom all resources entrusted them. Such resources must be utilized it for the betterment and upliftment of the ‘other’. The Golden Rule also anticipates the "Golden Age" under the New Covenant, fully devo-ted to God and committed to the service of humanity.

Dear revive,

Pastor A.T.Johnson highlights the social aspect of the golden rule which is of utmost significance for us who live in mutual dependence of each other. Selfishness, irrespon-sibility, and self boasting in today’s context does not diminish the worth of the golden rule, instead its meaning and worth are rather enhanced. The golden rule binds together husband and wife, mother and father and their children - within their family. My prayer is that today’s generation will understand well the social value of the golden rule in their lives.