same message, different mind

A popular author and blogger used this quote from MLK to make a point he feels is vital to living well. In his blog he chose to draw attention to the Golden Rule as a frame of reference for this quote and his point

His blog went as follows"


"why do we think that if we do to others

what we dislike them doing to us,

things will get better?.

hatred begets hatred which creates disconnection.

disconnection is what makes us suffer.

love begets love which creates connection

connection is what brings us happiness."

This feels really good. There is nothing most people would disagree with. BUT, here is the problem. He starts with a carnal core assumption so the Golden Rule does not become an agent of Grace, but an agent of reciprocity.

When our mind is anchored in social exchange, everything is viewed as "we do this, we get that." Notice the blogger has place the Golden Rule in the context of what we should do if we desire "what brings us happiness." When our mind is anchored in Grace, which is the Kingdom mind and the context for the Golden Rule, there is no expectation of exchange. We start with the idea that our needs are already satisfied. God has acted on our behalf. He has bestowed on us unmerited favor. We have no reciprocal action required. Justice has been satisfied. Our actions to be light in a dark world, to bring love, not hate, to the world is not motivated by achieving our satisfaction. Satisfaction is a priori to action, not resulting from it.

In the carnal core assumption, satisfaction follows our action. In the Kingdom core assumption satisfaction precedes our action. You may think that this difference is just academic. I would contend the difference in core assumptions and the quality of life associated with each is OUT OF THIS WORLD .....