Last semester, in one of the classrooms of a most prestigious preparatory academy, sat a young man from Brazil. His name was, well, let's call him Johnny. The teacher, D. Assálva prepared an activity to raise awareness about the importance of building a career. The first question of the research was what each of the pupils wanted to be when they grew up. Little Donald said he'd like to be president. Megan said she would become a princess someday. Firefighters, physicians, dentists and veterinarians were the most popular choices. Some people chose florists and even the preacher's son, Danny, who wanted to be like his father and grandfather before him. However, to the surprise and wonder of D. Assálva, Johnny said he would like to be a sports referee. When she inquired about what caused such a strange calling to a little twelve year old boy, he quickly replied, "My mother cut my hair and I am very angry with her!"
Ignore the bad behavior and it will go away... And so, the old teacher continued her survey asking the following questions: what is your parents’ profession? Where did they study? How long have they worked in such a service? The answers flowed just like the first question. Florists, dentists, doctors and veterinarians; When Johnny 's turn came, he proudly got up and said, "My father is a go-go boy, for those who do not know what that is," he explained in a well-rehearsed tone - "he's a stripper; he takes off his clothes for mon ... ", interrupted by D. Assalva, she scolded him for the funny business and told him to stay after class.
Worried, the teacher investigated where such negativity and rudeness came from. She said, " Johnny, I'm worried about you! -- Why would you say he was that awful thing? -- How can you be so angry with your parents?"
"Actually," he said, "I'm angry at my mother for the haircut she gave me, but with my father, I am just ashamed to admit that he's a Supreme Court justice!"
"When the wicked rules, the people moan." Proverbs 29: 2
We do not have to go very far to find historical accounts where corruption has overthrown a nation. Shortly before the fall of Rome, there was so much corruption that few even bothered to hide it. They made jokes about it. I would never do that! (Oh boy!). Do we have any doubt that political, governmental and corporate corruption is on the rise like never before? We include the truck drivers' strikes and roadblocks, robberies, robberies, sexual harassment and misconduct, and ponzy schemes, and then, our Federal Supreme Court judges in their do’s and undo’s of their decisions, the sort of person who plays and toils the morals of our nation. Fixing on our backs such decisions that free the crook and thieves. They traffic and they sign their sentences for money. We, the people end up either saying a blind “amen” to this, or we act like the hyena, (we eat dung and laugh…) we do all that, when we get confused and intertwined with the FIFA’s World Cup in Russia, and the repercussions of our fans, who show the same respect for Russian girls as the girls at the Brazilian street- funk dancing parties in the morros and favelas in the suburbs of Rio and São Paulo.
Friends, if any of you feel offended by my story of shame, as I re-wrote Johnny's joke, I'm really sorry. But for malfeasance, if ever seen worse than now, there is little anyone can do but laugh and really cry. Congress has shown contempt for public confidence. The bulk of the Senate's body makes most of us sick. Has our nation come to the point of no return? Is the economy really just a "house of cards" waiting to fall?
Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing ye may discern what is the will of God, what is good, acceptable, and perfect. Romans 12.12
It's not just the politician’s fault. Two sides are required to pay a bribe or receive a tip. The Bible is clear about how Christians should react to such things when exposed to them (at work, in particular, anywhere).
"Do not partake of the fruitless works of darkness; instead, expose them. " Ephesians 5.11
We should not have "no part" or not participate, which does not mean a bit. To have "no part" means to avoid the "works of darkness," and that means avoiding those who do. In fact, we are instructed to expose them, for whoever breaks the laws of man also breaks the laws of God (Romans 13. 1-5), and if you break the laws of God over time, they will break him (and me). Even though keeping the law doesn’t save you (Ephesians 2. 8-9), even if we tried, we couldn’t do it without the works of Christa alone. A spirit of obedience and gratitude to God should replace Johnny’s shame. Our shame and the (morbid) sense of humor should be replaced by a fidelity caused by God's faithfulness. In Paul's words as he wrote for the church in Rome, "What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world?? (Romans 3.3-6) After identifying and verifying who we are in the presence of God, we can understand that "being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3.24)
The great news is that he is merciful to his elect. I conclude here with the words spoken in Psalm 103.3-13:
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
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