PRINCIPLES

Frederick Buechner writes, “Principles are what people have instead of God. To be a Christian means among other things to be willing if necessary to sacrifice even your highest principles for God’s or your neighbor’s sake the way a Christian pacifist must be willing to pick up a baseball bat if there’s no other way to stop a man from savagely beating a child. 
 
Jesus didn’t forgive his executioners on principle but because in some unimaginable way he was able to love them.  “Principle” is an even duller word than “Religion.” 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” Jesus