Life Matters - March 27, 2024
The best defence is a good offence. Not to say that a defence should be dropped and eliminated, but in games as well as in war, the ones, or the many, who are no longer able to wage an offence will not long be able to hold, nor defend, any position. The truth will become painfully clear that a given position, in times of competition or of conflict, is not a position to just defend, to rest in, nor to be comfortable with, until such a time as the game is called to an end; or in war, an agreement is reached, a truce is called, one or the other surrenders, or simply gives up on the original fighting initiative. Beware of arguments, then, where opponents forsake the original disagreement(s), where one, or both, become unwilling to see the disagreement brought to conclusion, but rather, attempt to content themselves, and others, by attacking their opponent’s character. None of us have a totally clear record and it behooves us to give each other grace even while we practice accountability, to God first, amongst each other, and to governments. Our records of fallible human nature are the only plausible reason for disagreements to degenerate into personal attacks and character assassinations, are they not? Besides the innate knowledge, and control, of feeling safer when in an offensive position.
When communist dictator, Josef Stalin, appointed Lavrentiy Beria to be his secret police Chief, Mr. Beria, who filled a major role in the purges of Stalin’s opponents, (Britannica) confidently told Mr. Stalin, “Show me the man and I’ll show you the crime.” Mr. Beria could confidently assert this for several reasons. First, because degenerate human nature was flourishing in the Godless culture of the U.S.S.R. and secondly, because of the restrictive, crushing laws in that communist nation. Thirdly, varied concoctions departing from Truth. Not all are that degenerate nor do all of us have “skeletons in our closet,” but many of us would have enough bones for someone so minded to piece together some skeletal semblance of one and then hang it out for all to see. As for “bones” and “skeletons” God says it this way in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Destroying the character reputation of a political opponent to eliminate him from the possibility of political office has guided the tactics of despots, dictators, and tyrants from time immemorial (they made it “simple’’ in ancient Rome by just killing them) but reputation attacks are a more recent phenomenon in the political arena here in ‘’the land of the free and the home of the brave.’’ My earliest recollection of it being a memory of my dad reading the newspaper, then seating himself at the dinner table, shaking his head and saying to all of us in general and to no one in particular, “It used to be that men who ran for a political office would give us their credentials, give us reasons they are running for office and the merits upon which they are running… now…” His headshake continued, “They waste our time to tell us what’s wrong with the other guy.” I don’t remember all of what he said, after all, it’s been over 50 years (late 1960s early 1970s) but the impression was—and is—clear, this is not right. Biblically. Not right. A defense via an abuse of offence.
The present administration of Biden has hit a new low. An unprecedented low: as they openly and blatantly continue the use (abuse) of tax dollars to go after a political opponent in an overt attempt to destroy his reputation, his family, his wealth. Never before, in the known history of America, have elected officials dared to stoop so low. It is so low that constitutional laws barely cover this problem and therefore it drags on… and on. In a haunting echo from Lavrentiy Beria’s godless past we seem to hear again, “Show me the man and I’ll show you the crime.” This is not right. Biblically. Not Right. A twisting of defense into an attempted offense. Does the opposing party always respond right? No. Would you? Would I?
As we are in the week of Easter, may we draw near to Biblical right, Biblical truth, as we reflect on the life, death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He has shone His light on our path, He has shown us the way. He has made a way. The way. The only way to be reconciled to God. The devil tempted Him (Matthew 4:1-11) to give up His position, where he wields the spiritual sword of Truth against evil, and to take up the devil’s cause of defense against God the Father. But Jesus didn’t, He stayed on the offence. For the purpose of redemption. The defense killed Him. He was buried. And he stayed on the offence. He broke through the prison bars of sin, death, and hell! The grave could not stop Him! He set the captives free! The best defence is the offence of Truth and Grace, which came by Jesus Christ. Like that Friday of long ago, He doesn’t always appear to be winning, but He is. We are made for another world. Prepared for it by being born the second time! Made to strive for what is right while we are here.
Life Matters!