Values Blog
Being Human
Five hours after the resignation speech of Gov. Eliot Spitzer, I’m sitting in my home with my wife and small daughter, asking myself, “How could someone so smart, so educated, so talented, commit such a repulsive act?”
Since the media leaked the information, I have listened to the rants of radio talkers and how they could never do this awful thing that Spitzer has done. Shock I can understand, but how he could do such a thing is not a difficult question to answer. You see, the question isn’t how could Spitzer commit such a sin? Or, for that matter, how could such an intelligent person act in such a vile way. The fact is, one can attend Princeton and Harvard Law, fight the good fight of the evildoers in the legal world, and yet still be human.
I’m not attempting to look over the sin Spitzer has committed. However, what I am also not trying to do is pretend that I don’t understand how it could happen. We don’t like to think about it, but the reality is, everyone could do what Spitzer has done. Check that, we have. Yes, you read the last sentence correctly. We all have committed the same disobedience in the sight of God.
Do not look over my point. I’m not saying, “Oh, let’s not judge the sin”. There are repercussions that will and should take place in the coming days. However, before we talk too much about what a bad person Spitzer is and how we would never, ever do such a thing, think on this; the prophet Isaiah proclaimed, “We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way…” (53:6, HCSB) Read that statement again if necessary. Go ahead; let it sink in. Every one of us has turned to our own way. If we frame our discussions at the water cooler in this context, it will change how much we say about Spitzer the man. When Isaiah wrote those words, did he mean you? Did Isaiah mean me? Yes. Read the rest of verse six. It says, “and the LORD has punished Him for the iniquity of us all.” Praise God that our sin is not left for us to fix. I don’t know Spitzer or his character; he may be an awful person, a person of bad character and no integrity. That’s not for me to know. On the other hand, what I know is that Spitzer is not alone. He’s in the company of you and me. And unless we live a lifestyle of repentance and humility, we face a judgment harsher than what you will see unfold in Spitzer’s life in the coming days.
[Authored by Ryan Sanders]
Comments
1
Excellent points, Ryan. Your points were completely validated as the newly-sworn-in Governor, while the swearing in was still warm in his spirit, stepped up to confess that he and his wife had both been involved in extra-marital affairs. (Interesting that he waited until after the swearing in to remember this detail - though it seems the media is more forgiving if you are forthcoming rather than have to confess to being caught by the media.) Yes, we all have turned from the grace and goodness of God. Thanks for reminding us of that - but also thanks for reminding us that God is gracious and will forgive those who come to Him in humbleness.
posted at 11:13am on March 24, 2008 by Rick Prall
2
David was a man after God’s own heart and he like Spitzer allowed sin to separate him from all that God had sent his way. Satan targets men who are “men after God’s own heart” like David. Satan targets wise men like King Solomon or a top flight attorney in NY. We are naive to think that we too arent being targetted in Satan’s cross hairs
posted at 8:39pm on March 25, 2008 by Brad
3
It’s trite to say, “There but for the grace of God go I,” but it still rings true. The tricky part is, how do you show grace, forgiveness, and humility without coming across as minimizing the sin and its consequences?
posted at 10:14am on March 26, 2008 by Alice
4
Alice,
Great point. I agree, it’s completely difficult to show grace without minimizing the sin and its consequences. I would say, in any given situation, first, let’s talk about the sin. Secondly, let’s talk about the consequences of the sin when necessary. Thirdly, let’s frame that discussion in the sinfulness of humanity or the fall of man.
We can discuss the sin and its consequences. What we can’t do is make judgment calls on the person. We must leave that portion up to God. We can only speak within the framework of Scripture.
posted at 4:57pm on April 04, 2008 by Ryan