Statesmen Versus Superstars
Henry Kissinger wrote in his memoir “Years of Renewal”: “The great statesmen of the past saw themselves as heroes who took on the burden of their societies’ painful journey from the familiar to the as yet unknown. The modern politician is less interested in being a hero than a superstar. Heroes walk alone; stars derive their status from approbation. Heroes are defined by inner values; stars by consensus. When a candidate’s views are forged in focus groups and ratified by television anchorpersons, insecurity and superficiality become congenital.”
A superstar, not a statesman, today leads our country. That may win short-term applause from foreign audiences, but do little for what should be the chief foreign policy preoccupation of any U.S. president: advancing America’s long-term interests.
Karl Rove – Wall Street Journal / http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124044156269345357.html
Matthew 7:12
“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
What are some advantages of living by the Golden Rule?
1) It forces us to think of others continually, trying to put ourselves in their place.
2) It leads us to study ourselves and our own real needs.
3) It makes us brotherly, placing the lowest man on the same plane of desire with ourselves.
4) It turns us from the past (what men have done to us) and toward the future (what we want men to do for us).
5) Finally, it requires our deepest nature to be the guide of action, identifying us at once with whatever we do, making us real and sincere.
What would be the result if all men obeyed the Golden Rule?
1) Employers would be eager to truly give workmen all they earn.
2) Employees would be zealous to give employers their best.
3) Office-holders would consider the public business a sacred trust.
4) We would all be sincere, yet kindly and courteous in our speech and actions.
Insufficient Standards
I like (Jer. 10:23)
I feel (Gal. 5:16-21)
I want (Acts 8:18-24)
I think (2 Kgs. 5:1-15)
They do it (1 Sam. 8:4-8)
It seems right (Prov. 14:12)
I am sincere (2 Sam. 6:6-7)
I am always right (2 Cor. 13:5)
No one will see me (Prov. 15:3)
It is for a good cause (Rom. 3:8)
I don’t see why not (Acts 5:1-11)
The preacher said so (Gal. 1:6-9)
Others do worse things (Matt. 7:5)
God didn’t say not to (Lev. 10:1-2)
God doesn’t mind (1 Cor. 2:10-13)
It isn’t against the law (Acts 5:26-29)
It hurts no one but me (1 Cor. 8:12-13)
Most people think it is okay (Matt. 7:13-14)
My parents and grandparents did it (Gal. 6:5)
It doesn’t bother my conscience (Prov. 30:20)
We have done it this way for years (Josh. 5:2-9)
It’s all right if we do it in God’s name (Matt. 7:21-23)
God doesn’t expect us to be so technical (1 Ths. 5:21)
Legislating Morality
How often have you heard the assertion that politics and religion do not mix? Or ‘you can’t legislate morality’? These kinds of statements are repeated so often that many people take them as gospel…The very nature of legislation involves value judgments. Some things are deemed right and legal; other things are wrong and illegal. That is morality. I believe the question is not if morality can be legislated. The question is whose morality will be legislated? (pp. 14-15)
—-How Would Jesus Vote? D. James Kennedy and Jerry Newcombe
