Chapter VII. The Ethics of Jesus
1901 original text, YOGeBooks typeset transcription; original text extent only
To be sure, Jesus speaks of the “reward” of righteousness, but this is very far from urging men to work primarily for the reward. The reward is simply the reaction, and Jesus applies the term as frequently to wrong-doing as to righteousness. By this he means that no man shall escape the result of his actions. And so no man shall labour for righteousness in vain. Everyone shall be rewarded in exact accordance with the purity of motive and deed by which his life is characterised.
Even when one is reproached and persecuted, one should rejoice, knowing that this also will bring its spiritual compensation.
We must, however, consider circumstances to some extent. We ought not to give that which is holy where it will be scorned. Even Jesus sought those who had at least a grain of faith in him.
The prime essential is to put the soul in the right attitude. We must first be reconciled with our brother, be in a loving mood, or our gift will profit nothing.
“Judge not according to appearances, judge righteous judgment.” Look below the surface of things to find the truth, the reality. Remember that all men are working out their salvation, that none is guiltless, that none is able to cast the first stone.
Likewise in regard to the appeal, “Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Not that we should turn to the ledger and cross off every financial obligation. To do this might be to wrong our neighbour. We are rather to have a spirit of forgiveness towards those who apparently have done us an injury.
Thus it is ever the inner attitude which is consequential. Think truth, and you will speak truth. Be pure in heart and you shall be pure in your life. Be sincere, honest, straightforward, outgoing, charitable, and you will find men taking the same attitude toward you.
When his enemies came to crucify him, Jesus uttered no word save of forgiveness. Thus to the end he was true to the doctrine he taught. Always it was the law of love, the spirit of brotherhood, the recognition of the divine within the human.
Jesus would not even permit men to call him “good.” “None is good save one, even God.” Man is good only to the extent that God is revealed through him. For man is not adequate by himself. Just as his life is from God, so must his goodness be seen in relation to God. And Jesus recognised that even he was sufficient only through the divine creative work of which his own mission as the Christ was the culminating part.
Thus the ethical teaching of Jesus is scarcely separable from his religion. To seek the Kingdom of God was with him at once an act of prayer or worship, and a search for the clue to righteous or ethical conduct. His religion was consecrated work for humanity, and his consecration was his ethical self- dedication. The spiritual and moral ideals were not to be sundered, but each was a part of the life of righteousness which is the fruit of the Kingdom. Therefore, if we truly understand what Jesus means by seeking and finding the Kingdom we have the clue to the most difficult ethical problems which the intellect can propound.