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Men of Integrity, March/April 2008
Two Fallen Congressmen
Theme of the Week: Doing a 180
Tuesday, March 4
Key Bible Verse: People who cover over their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy (Proverbs 28:13). Bonus Reading: Ezekiel 18:30-32
The year 1983 summoned forth two splendid examples of human moral imperfection: Rep. Daniel Crane (R-Ill.) and Rep. Gerry Studds (D-Mass.). Both were censured by the House for sexual misconduct: Crane for a relationship with a 17-year-old female page, Studds for a liaison with a 17-year-old male page.
The nation got a glimmer of their philosophical differences when Crane admitted tearfully to his district, then to the full House, that he "broke the laws of God and man," casting a vote for his own censure, and facing the House as the Speaker announced the tally.
Studds, in contrast, defended the relationship with the page as "mutual and voluntary." He said the relationship didn't warrant the "attention or action" of the House. Studds voted "present" on the censure and heard the verdict from the Speaker with his back to the House.
Do they both deserve equal censure? Of course. But there's one consolation for Crane: his philosophy (of an objective moral order promulgated by God in man's nature) teaches that there is one thing worse than sin. That is denial of sin, which makes forgiveness impossible.
—Thomas F. Roeser in Chicago Sun-Times
My Response: What denial of mine is blocking the forgiveness that God is ready to extend?
Thought to Apply: Before God can deliver us we must undeceive ourselves. —Augustine of Hippo (Early church leader)
Adapted from Chicago Sun-Times (8/22/83) by permission.
Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
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March/April 2008, Vol. 11, No. 2
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Prayer for the Week |
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Prod me, Lord, to own up to my sin, deal with its consequences, and alter my behavior.
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