First Presbyterian Church

Newt, Joe Pa, and the rest of us...

Three people, a philosopher, a business person, and a lawyer, were asked to define this question: What is integrity? The philosopher responded, "Integrity is how you act when no one else is watching." The business person offered this definition, ""Integrity means that when you shake hands on a deal, no written contract is even needed." Lastly the lawyer said, "What do you want it to mean?"

Our leaders are flawed human beings. I know that's not a revelation. But somehow we still seem surprised and appalled by the idea. Newt Gingrich just won a stunning victory in the South Carolina Republican primary. We find ourselves talking about his failed marriages and infidelity. Joe Paterno is one of the most successful coaches in college football history and just died of cancer. We find ourselves talking about his lack of good judgment in a sex abuse scandal involving a former assistant coach. With all due respect, what do you expect?

We live in a broken world. In every marriage people do not live happily ever after. In the millions of decisions that we make over the course of lifetime not every one of them is right. Yet we seem to enjoy, in a morbid sort of way, taking people, at least some people, to task over their personal failures. Our press seems to make it their business to fuel all of this. Anymore it seems to me CNN, FOX News, CBS, NBC, and ABC are reduced to being no better than the National Enquirer. Our leaders have feet of clay. Is that really a news bulletin for you?

On Facebook currently there is quote attributed to George Carlin. "If you have selfish, ignorant citizens, you're gonna get selfish, ignorant leaders." Is it possible that they are really us? What are you willing to overlook in a political leader who happens to espouse views you agree with? What are you willing to disregard in a coach or athlete on a team you cheer for? And while you're at, what are you not seeing in yourself?

In 1 John we read, "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth." What is the truth we need to live out? First, none of us is without faults. Second, taking care of our own problems is a fulltime job. Third, Jesus offers a better way. He offers us forgiveness and life. He doesn't dwell on the past. He looks to the future. He believes people can change. He treats us with love and respect. I wonder how the world would be different if we did that for each other. The way of Jesus is the way to move farther on.