In addition, the true Christian needs to understand the importance of God's golden rule, which is that we are to do unto others what we would have them do unto us. And, Matthew 7:2 says, in effect, that God will do to us what we do to others. We absolutely need to follow the first rule, as well as understand and believe the second one. In that spirit, we ask God for strength in order to respond to others' attacks in a spirit of holiness. It is God to whom we appeal, as we lift the atheists up with our sincerest prayers. It is God with whom we converse, who lifts the burdens that others place upon our backs (our crosses, if you will), and allows us to think kindly toward those who display arrogance, ignorance or lack of respect toward us. The true Christian does not get caught up in defending himself or his faith (where his words fall on ears, not anointed by the Holy Spirit), but, instead, leaps immediately into the arms of Christ for the only consolation that really matters. There, in intimate concern, we share with Him a prayerful desire that people, unaware of the wonderful love of our Savior, find this truth quickly.

The many Christians who do not spend much time in prayer have come to "believe" that God helps those who help themselves (a maxim that is not in the Bible). If asked by someone taking a survey, they would claim they were a Christian, but by their actions, they are secular humanists—or people who believe in the complete separation of church and state as it is convolutedly interpreted by modern courts, and who "believe" they are equipped to handle any circumstance that may befall them, without becoming too involved with any personal savior. Such "surface Christians" cannot make a necessary impact in this world. How could those fully committed to the world, be inspired by someone who is only partially committed to God? With all of the incredible miracles shared in God's Word, why would a Christian adapt a stance that some of the people, whom God has had cross their path, are simply not worthy to be prayed for? They consider the offending persons as destined for hell, and they refuse to be concerned about it. They exhibit a "serves them right" attitude toward the lost. Such thinking is a betrayal to Christ, who loved us and died for all of us.

Christian, remember Matthew 7:2 and think about how many of the secular humanists will not even give the time of day to one of the Christian faith. Christians, do not in your arrogance, stand there as if innocent, and cry to the world that you are being treated unfairly. Let's recognize that Christians are not merely victims of the secular humanist's repulsive attitude toward them. Perhaps in their own way, they have shunned the secular humanists first, or been aggressively judgmental and self-righteous. Why should it be a surprise, then, that many of the secular humanists may be merely returning to the Christians what the Christians gave to them? However it may be, Christians should give Matthew 7:2 a chance, repent, and begin forgiving those who are offensive so that, as the Word says in the Lord's Prayer, God can begin forgiving Christians of this same sin. We should not ask God to "forgive us our trespasses," unless we choose to follow through on the second part of that sentence in the Lord's Prayer: "…forgive those who trespass against us." We MUST forgive, in order to be forgiven!

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