The title of this blog post was the same as Michael Bean and The Call’s project of quite some years ago.
The theme of many of their songs on that project spoke of corruption (the Bible calls it “old nature” or “the old man” with reference to our individual ability to play naughty in the dark, to sin) within humans.
I have often quoted the scripture “None is righteous, not even one” because it is sooo obvious any of us can fall into “me, me, self, self” and play a game of hide-and-seek.
I have long been a news junkie and this morning read in the AP online about Rome. I have been there and it is indeed both beautiful and chaotic. In some cases sounds very much like “the church”, no? Or like families, plenty of them in any case!
So it seems the intense heat wave is now coupled with a mayor who two years into his term is beginning to try to bring real reform to political corruption. Everything from patronage, nepotism, the public transit system of trains (dirty, old, sometimes doors open as they zip through the subway), buses (which drivers either park or are now deliberately driving slower than one could walk as protest to the reforms… including punching a clock as the rest of Rome’s city employees must do) and under-the-table financial kickbacks, etc., are being dealt with.
Meanwhile the pope has decreed Jubilee so there are many more thousands coming to Rome and the Vatican… yow!
History provides ample lessons but of course even history can be re-written (and often is by the “victors” of war or politics).
Then we have the other side of the proverbial “coin”.
Last night as I drove the adds for regional Chicago tv jumped off of local buses and billboards for two of the most famous (infamous?) tv-court shows. Both in Facebook and other social media outlets as well as daytime and cable television we find ratings when “kick them lousy bums” is the core story.
In other words it does seem there is both care for actual justice as well as “FRY THEM JERKS” in our culture.
I expect most in metro Rome are tempted to both -as well as any of us.
The problem is that you cannot legislate the nature of Jesus into humans by mere law.
There are certainly criminals in Rome who are playing games for money, power and likely prostitutes just as there are good and fair peeps among the local politicians and city workers.
One point in the news was that the regional governor who supported the mayor has now begun to distance himself from him as many are unwilling to change their corrupt ways or slop work habits.
Meanwhile the garbage piles up in Rome.
For me as an individual Christ-follower, the reality is that confession, repentance, keeping short accounts, BEING honestly accountable to others and facing the fact we shall all answer to God after this life brings life, peace and a clear conscience.
1 John 1
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don’t tell the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we haven’t sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Notice “if” appears in each and every one of these five verses.
THIS much is within anyone’s personal control and ability to do!
God have mercy on Rome… and each of us.
God gives the grace to live these verses, and life is the result of those who do.
As always, thanks for stopping by:) -Glenn
glennkaiser.com 