Suum Cuique ~ To Each His Own

One thing that is undeniable in life is that man will always take sides against another man. Somewhere, somehow, man will take sides. This can be due to race, nationality, you name it. This happens, even when we try to “fix” it. Take, for example, demonstrations around the world, doesn’t matter what they’re about, they are still man versus man. How is that? Well, it’s easy enough, man has simply forgotten how to be neighbors. They have chosen, instead to hate their enemies, which, sadly, ends up being each other. There is a song, One Tin Soldier, that fits this exact ideal. So, where does this lead? Well, let’s start with the definition of man, people, and human before we get to the definitions of both a publican and a republican, as well as a republic.

Man – a person, a being.

People – human beings.

Human – consisting of or produced by people.

Publican – in Ancient Rome a collector of public revenues, tolls, etc. In other words, it’s another name for a tax collector.

Republic – a state or nation in which the supreme power rests in all the citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives elected, directly or indirectly, by them and responsible to them.

Republican – Favoring, or in accord with the nature of a republic, a characteristic of or having the nature of a republic.

Matthew 5: 46 KJV – For if ye love that which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans have the same?

Matthew 5:46 NIV – If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?

These two versions of the same verse go with the words LOVE THY ENEMIES. What does it mean to love? Everyone sees it as a family thing, mother, and father to child, child to parent, grandparent, and so on. Yet, there is the love for a neighbor, even if they are unknown to you. Then, naturally, there are those who are enemies, which would, in fact, be the hardest consideration for us. Many of us don’t want to, refuse to love our enemies, no matter what reason would cause them to be such. If you love your enemies only for the sole fact that they are human, you can put aside the where they live, what they do, what they believe, and so on. This is NOT easy. We see it every day. Like the song One Tin Soldier, there are times we have seen, and probably will again see, the genocide of both sides, one against the other, or the genocide of one by another. Humanity attempting to wipe itself out, one segment at a time. It doesn’t matter whether you are white, black, or green with purple polka dots, what does matter is that you learn to not take sides. Believe as you choose, because it is just that, A CHOICE. God gave us the ability to make that choice, to each his own or in Latin suum cuique. Think about it this way, each of us has a path, that path will end up somewhere, and it may be the same place as everyone else, but it can, and often does, take us in different directions away from each other, friends, family, neighbors, it doesn’t matter, each of us has that choice. It is a God given choice known as FREE WILL. We don’t think about things this way, a Christian is a Christian is a Christian, they’re all the same, I’ve heard that so many times it isn’t funny. The thing is, everyone, no matter what faith, Christian or non-Christian, each sees their faith as just that THEIR faith. In other words to each his own. So, Jesus speaks of the publicans, to the publicans, and even as friends with publicans. Many countries, if not all countries, want to be considered a republic. The republic for which it stands, as the pledge, or part of it, for Americans would say. It is the understanding between republics that counts. It doesn’t necessarily equate to peace, but understanding each other. It’s more than a truce, it is actually on the path toward peace. Once we understand each other, we can be willing to see each side of things and make peace. Remember, Jesus said in John 14:27 KJV – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Fear leads us away from understanding, from peace. The place to start is to find your own peace. You have to start within your self, to be able to give of your self. It doesn’t matter who you are, whether you are publican or not, whether you are any faith, or not, or even whether you are white, black, or green with purple polka dots. What matters is that YOU ARE. Think about it.

~Shalom~

Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Calvin Jennings ~ Elder Facebook & Twitter & Blogster

Covenant of Hope Ministries

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

Scripture Excerpts: The New Open Bible Study Edition:Copyright © 1990: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc.

Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © 1982: E. E. Gaddy and Associates, Inc.

Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © circa 1890-1910: International Bible Press,The John C. Winston Co.; Philadelphia, PA., USA

Sermon or Study Copyright © 2012 http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries and Poetic-Expressions is not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all that is created through fear together as the rainbow in the darkness.