The Duttons

In years past, I remember the “bad___” mantra, a misstatement of Luke 6: 31, saying “Do unto others.. first!”  In other words, get the upper hand, the advantage, no matter the cost to anyone trampled on the way.  I’ve been sick for the week previous to this writing, having barely been out of the house.  During confinement, I’ve had the opportunity to catch up on ALL of the seasons and episodes of “Yellowstone.”  Likely the better part of wisdom would have been to not actually admit that!  The unbelievable selfishness and depravity, all of which is juxtaposed to the noble cause of protecting a statedly idyllic and honorable lifestyle along with the sanctity of a family so dysfunctional that they make the Corleones look like a Norman Rockwell painting, makes the viewer’s head spin.  Is the world REALLY like that?

All we need to do is look at Bernie Madoff, Kenneth Lay, and Elizabeth Holmes, among others, to see that, except, maybe, for the trips to the “train station,” yes, it is, and I’m not EVEN going to wander off into politics at this point.  Our species is, by nature, evil and depraved.  It is no wonder that the early apostles wrote letters to the various churches.

2 Peter 1: 3-8:

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

Luke 6:31:

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

But maybe that mantra isn’t “bad___” after all.  Maybe we should “Do unto others, first.”  Do good for good’s sake.  Forsake the “Lie, cheat, steal” mentality, and rebuke those who are guided by it.  And you’re welcome to wander off into the political application, now, if you wish…

Bob Bullard