Theme: Integrity

I suppose that politics is a necessity in a fallen world, but I despise the swampiness of the whole thing. It seems just when you think things cannot get any more duplicitous and rottener, it comes to light that those who want to govern lie about their resume. “Stolen valor” is a term known well to us military types because it reveals the worst parts of some people, people who want glory but not the necessary courage, people who long for applause but not the work.

In Matthew 10, Jesus is teaching his apostles about the omniscience of God and about the duplicity of men: “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known” (Mt 10:26, ESV). The same principle is throughout Scripture. Think, for example, of this from Numbers: “ . . . . and be sure your sin will find you out” (Num 32:23, ESV).

Encouragement: For anyone who is intellectually honest, he/she must readily concede that it is easy to grow discouraged when he/she sees the seemingly bottomless pit out of which some people crawl. There seems to be no shame anymore. People just expect lies. And the love of many is growing cold. It is therefore incumbent upon God’s people to live lives of integrity. We are not to steal valor. We are to live with true faith and allegiance. All will be disclosed, you see. All. And that is more than sufficient reason to live lives that are above reproach (cf. 1 Timothy 4:16; Titus 1:6-9).