Our Creator is righteous, meaning He is morally perfect. Each person has an eternal existence, not limited by the mortality of our earthly lives. At the end of our earthly life, each person that our righteous Creator views as morally perfect will co-exist with Him in Heaven for all eternity. Those our righteous Creator does not view as morally perfect, because of unforgiven sins resulting from our rebellious nature, will exist for all eternity away from Him in what is commonly called hell. It is called hell because of the terrible suffering for all in this place. The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs, not only during our earthly life, but for all eternity. In our Creator’s guidebook to us, hell is described as “eternal fire”, “a lake that burns with fire and sulfur” (Revelation. 21.8). As Jesus taught:

They will throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth… Anyone who has ears should listen! (Matthew 13:42-43)

From an eternal perspective, only the righteous can stand in our Creator’s presence. The dilemma is that as a part of the human condition and the choices we are allowed to make with our free will:

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

We all fall short of our Creator’s requirement! However, God in His love for His creation, and His sensitivity to the human predicament, has taken it upon Himself to provide a solution for this predicament. Knowing that mankind by itself could never solve this predicament, He entered human history Himself as Jesus to solve this dilemma. He did this by dying the painful suffering of the crucifixion, not for anything He had done wrong, but for what each of us has done to offend our righteous Creator. God has told us:

Jesus is the image of the invisible God…. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Jesus and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things…by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross (Colossians 1:15‑20).

Mahatma Gandhi described this sacrifice when he said that Jesus,

a man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.

Thus, Jesus has told us:

I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6).

Our Creator has told us:

There is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God is able to forgive us and to see us as holy. Jesus’ death and resurrection is the only provision given to mankind whereby we can have our sins forgiven and have this intimate relationship with God that lasts for all eternity. God has told us:

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation (Colossians 1:21‑22).

God took the sinless Christ and poured into Him our sins. Then, in exchange, He poured God’s goodness into us! (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Let me be very clear: What I am advocating is not religion. It is the person of Jesus. As God Himself, Jesus is for all of us, not just certain races, cultures, or regions of the world. I believe this is what Mahatma Gandhi meant when he said:

Because the life of Jesus has the significance and the transcendency to which I have alluded, I believe that he belongs not solely to Christianity, but to the entire world; to all races and people, it matters little under what flag, name or doctrine they may work, profess a faith or worship a God inherited from their ancestors.

The repentance and forgiveness that allows us to have an intimate relationship with God and to know with confidence that we will never be separated from our Creator, both in this life and for all eternity, is centred in the person of Jesus. Let us not think we can have this any other way but through embracing Jesus and Him alone.

Perhaps this illustration may help you understand what our Creator has done for us through His love. There was a small town that had only one judge. This judge had a rebellious son who, as a result of breaking the law, was brought before the judge. The judge, in his desire to be just, had no choice but to declare his son guilty and to issue a sentence of a steep fine or a prison sentence. This presented a hopeless situation as the fine was beyond the son’s capacity to pay. After issuing the penalty, the judge then took off his robe, left the judge’s bench, stood next to his son, and paid the fine on his behalf. This is a picture of what our Creator God has done for us. Out of His love, He has paid our penalty for us.

How do we place our faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins, so we can experience this intimate relationship with God? The illustration that communicates best to me relates to the region where I grew up — near Niagara Falls. The water flows over Niagara Falls so violently that if anyone falls into the water, it is certain death. Many people do risky things over Niagara Falls to gain attention. One of these was a tightrope walker. He had a wire strung over the Falls, from one side to the other. This man first walked along this wire from one side of the Falls to the other, and back. Then, as the crowd grew, he repeated his walk but this time he pushed a wheelbarrow in front of him as he walked over the wire to the other side and back. Then, he boldly filled the wheelbarrow with bricks and guided it along the wire over the Falls. By this time, the crowd had grown very large and was cheering loudly for him. He then asked the crowd “How many of you believe I can take this wheelbarrow over the Falls carrying a person inside instead of these bricks?” The crowd cheered wildly. Then, he asked the crowd “Who is willing to get into the wheelbarrow?” The crowd suddenly became silent. Their belief lacked 100% confidence. To place our faith in Jesus Christ means to get into the wheelbarrow with Him, making ourselves completely dependent upon Him. Our sole basis for having our sins forgiven and for entering a personal relationship with God is availing ourselves of Jesus’ death on our behalf.

It is this making ourselves dependent upon Jesus that gives us the forgiveness of our Creator for Him to view us as righteous. An important consequence of this intimate relationship with our Creator is His dwelling within our lives, and, as a result, receiving His ability to guide us as His instruments in our nations and to help achieve His purposes. No one — neither you nor I — can fully become the agent God would use to bring our Creator’s blessings to our nations without the life of Jesus in us. Therefore, both for the sake of ensuring your eternal destiny as well as developing the kind of relationship with God necessary for serving our nations as Statesmen, I challenge you to come to Him. Jesus invites us:

If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink! The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him (John 7:37-38).

As we come to Jesus and drink, God will forgive us. Furthermore, this will allow us to receive instruction from God and to partner with Him to build healthy nations. For this reason, I invite you to come to Jesus and drink. Let me encourage you to embrace the Master Shepherd of our world and your life. I encourage you to invite Jesus into your life by praying to God, for example:

Holy God, please forgive me for sinning against You. Thank You for loving me enough that You came to this earth as Jesus and died on my behalf so that I could have an intimate relationship with You. I ask You to come into my life to dwell. Today, I receive You as my Saviour from my sins. I ask You to guide me moment-by-moment as I serve You. Thank You. Amen.

Not only will this ensure your eternal destiny, but it will start you on the most exciting journey known to mankind, including opening the door to become God’s agent for serving our people and bringing the well-being to our people that He intends. This allows us to operate as Statesmen by applying the powerful truth that we may then allow the life of Jesus to live through us:

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:19-20).

If we were to apply this with each decision we make, it would mean each decision being made under the guidance of our Creator, and the love of our Creator for His creation being reflected. Then, the resulting acts would be considered the selfless acts of a Statesman.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE STATESMAN

Am I willing to apply Pascal’s Wager: “What do I have to lose by trusting God to provide eternal life for me in light of all I am offered to gain by a trustworthy Creator?”

Is it fair to my people to risk depriving them of all the benefits our trustworthy Creator promises them if I do not submit to Him

The post The Essential Truth That Would Allow One to Become a Statesman appeared first on CENTRE FOR STATECRAFT.

Among the most critical relationships in the life of the government decision-maker is those who see things differently than we do – those in the opposition.

In democratic governance, the majority has the responsibility to shepherd the whole population, not just those within the majority. Therefore, the majority must make sure that everyone’s basic interests are cared for, including those in the minority. In other words, those with the authority to govern must be sensitive to ensure that the minority does not feel left out and, therefore, second-rate members of society. The majority must make sure that the minority feels included, even if everything it advocates cannot be. The majority must always ensure that the minority maintains hope and confidence that its voice is considered valid. This is fundamental to servant leadership.

A few years ago, I saw a serious misunderstanding of this responsibility when one incumbent President campaigned with these words, “Let not those who fail to vote for me expect that they will receive anything from me.” That is not servant leadership!

How does our Creator envisage that the opposition and majority should relate to each other in governing?

King Solomon left for us the benefit of his wisdom in the following advice as it relates to making decisions within government:

Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed (Proverbs 15:22).

You should wage war with sound guidance — victory comes with many counselors (Proverbs 24:6).

Prepare plans by consultation, And make war by wise guidance (Proverbs 20:18).

King Solomon advocated broad consultation in the decision-making process, apparently drawing upon the broadest array of thinking available. Although Solomon operated in a monarchy, his advice applies to democratic governance.

Let us look at a key principle from our Creator’s instruction book that applies to both the majority and the minority – persuasion. Engaging in persuasion in seeking to change the way that one who thinks differently from me means that I recognize that he also is created in the image of God. It reflects the desire that together we can come close to understanding the mind of our Creator on this issue, recognizing that by ourselves we do not fully understand His mind, as our Creator made clear:

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.” This is the Lord’s declaration. “For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

What do we learn from our Creator’s instruction book about persuasion? Let us look at the use of persuasion in the life of another of His servants, where he expressed this principle, even though in a different context:

Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord, we seek to persuade people (2 Corinthians 5:11).

King Solomon testified how he viewed persuasion working, essentially in his own governance:

A ruler can be persuaded through patience, and a gentle tongue can break a bone (Proverbs 15:25).

How does this work practically? One friend was a child at a time when his father was the Leader of the Opposition immediately after independence. In Parliament, his father strongly opposed the Prime Minister on certain issues. My friend was confused when after the family returned to the capital from visiting their constituency in the rural village, the father would take bushels of vegetables to the Prime Minister at his residence. Privately, they were close friends. They disagreed on many policy issues, but they deeply appreciated and respected each other. I am convinced that this is the way our Creator would have us work with those we disagree with – not to view them as our enemy but as one also created in the image of God, whom we may view at best as misunderstanding. It also leaves room for us to be teachable and to recognize that we, as humans, may be misunderstanding the mind of our Creator, as we seek to persuade each other in attempting to reach the truth together.

A difference of opinion does not need to mean an adversarial relationship. We learn much more from our critics than from our supporters and allies. A healthy democracy requires dialogue from the broadest segments of society. In fact, the leader is charged by our Creator with unifying the nation and moving the whole ship ahead, not just the majority component. A true understanding of democracy and servant leadership does not require that we be adversaries with those of different views, especially politically. The Head of Government has been given the mandate to give direction to the government, not to strangle all others or to stifle those with differing perspectives. The Head of Government must see the opposition as precisely as that: those who see the problem and/or the solution in a different way. It is sad that we could make such a person into a personal enemy and, from there, into an enemy of the State.

I was encouraged to see President Nelson Mandela apply this principle. On one occasion, when he needed to be out of his nation, he appointed his rival Mangosuthu Buthelezi as Acting President. I am convinced too much energy is wasted in polarizing of political camps. After all, it is not our party that is so important; it is our nation. And I am convinced that no nation can achieve the quality of life our Creator intends for it until this principle is applied.

President Abraham Lincoln impressed me when he brought into his cabinet several strong politicians who had opposed him in seeking the presidency, including William Seward as Secretary of State and Salmon Chase as Secretary of the Treasury. Lincoln knew that he was inviting risk because there was the likelihood that they would use their positions of authority to challenge him for the leadership. However, he was convinced they were the best individuals available for their responsibilities and the nation could benefit from their expertise. Mid-way through his term, the risks materialized. Chase attempted to dislodge Seward, apparently as part of his challenging the President. The easiest way for Lincoln to resolve this dispute would have been to dismiss one or both of them. Lincoln decided that he needed both of them in his cabinet so he dealt with the conflict in this way: He requested and received resignations from both of them. Then, Lincoln rejected both of the resignations. The conflict died and never resurfaced.

A commitment to the important relationships with those in opposition to us requires that I recognize that I do not have all knowledge. This is humbling but it is realistic. Behind this is an attitude of appreciation for each other, regardless of our viewpoints. Our Creator explains our ability to do this as being driven by two great commandments as expressed by Jesus, God in human form:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39).

Loving God involves embracing Jesus’ death on the cross as the substitutionary payment for my sins which separated me from our Creator, as confirmed by His resurrection from the dead. As Jesus made clear:

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6).

Then, based upon the power of God working within me as a result of my relationship with God through Jesus, the overflow of this is to love my fellow human. I believe this is essential to our ability to appreciate and respect those who disagree with us in the administration of affairs of State. Furthermore, it is satisfying to be assured that whenever we attempt to obey our Lord in something difficult, He adds His power to our efforts in order to help us:

For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose (Philippians 2:13).

CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE STATESMAN

Am I willing to sit down with those who disagree with me and engage in persuasion to seek to arrive at the correct approach together?

Have I embraced my Creator’s forgiveness as a part of loving Him, as the basis for loving my fellow humans, including those whose perspective is different from min

The post The Statesman Recognizes the Value of the Opposition appeared first on CENTRE FOR STATECRAFT.

The first thing each of us does when we receive a new piece of equipment is to study the instruction manual. The reason we do this is to learn from the designer how that equipment was intended to function and how we can best achieve the results intended by the designer. The same is true for our nations. We are not the designers but rather entered into the picture long after their creation and are responsible to fulfill our stewardship in achieving the intent of the Designer. We cannot even look to the Constitution and the original intent of the founders of our nation as our guides. In reality, the design was imposed by our Creator – Almighty God. Our first step is to gain confidence that our Creator has given us an instruction manual in the form of the Bible. Then, we will need to study that instruction manual with the intent to apply what we learn.

The reality that our Creator has given His instruction manual in the form of the Bible. Let us begin with that first step – understanding the Bible as God’s instruction manual for operating within His creation. There is one chapter in the Bible that stands out. It is Psalm 119, which may be studied in detail via the link: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+119&version=HCSB.

This chapter is best viewed as God’s introduction to His instruction manual. In reality, it is a conversation between one who views himself as “Lord’s servant” with our Creator. In this chapter, it emphasizes that the Bible is God’s instructions 25 times, His precepts 21 times; furthermore, His commands 23 times, His decrees 23 times, His statutes 22 times – instructions, precepts, commands, decrees, statutes – all of which are relevant as guidelines to us in operating according to His design. Each of these concepts repeated throughout Psalm 119 – instructions, precepts, commands, decrees, statutes – make clear what is necessary in order to operate successfully within His Creation.  Literally, it makes it abundantly clear that this book, the Bible, is the Creator’s instruction manual. Let us briefly look at a few of our Creator’s teachings in this rich chapter, speaking through His servant:

How happy are those …who live according to the Lord’s instruction! Happy are those who keep His decrees and seek Him with all their heart (Psalm 119:1-2).

Here is a simple motivation for understanding the need to study this manual. It is the clear expectation that those of us who operate within His creation will “keep His decrees and seek Him with all their heart”. Other statements which support this, all addressed to our Creator:

I love Your instruction (Psalm 119:113).

Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction; nothing makes them stumble (Psalm 119:165).

I understand more than the elders because I obey Your precepts (Psalm 119:100).

Lord, … teach me Your statutes. … I rejoice in the way revealed by Your decrees as much as in all riches (Psalm 119:12-14).

This makes clear the heart attitude necessary in approaching this instruction manual. We should treasure God’s instructions as our greatest riches. We should view this instruction manual as our most-prized possession!

Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wonderful things from Your instruction. I am a stranger on earth; do not hide Your commands from me (Psalm 119:18-19).

This acknowledges that we do not have the wisdom within ourselves to operate within each area of our Lord’s creation and that we need guidance that can only come from God, the Designer. This is emphasized elsewhere in the Bible where our Creator teaches:

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways. For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).

I do not believe anyone responsible for affairs of State can feel secure in one’s own wisdom. Hence, this argues that this chapter and the manual it refers to – the Bible – is essential for the one desiring to be a Statesman.

This expresses a clear recognition of the need to live within the guidelines of this manual. Clearly, God loves and cares about the well-being of His creation so much that He has given us everything necessary to fulfill His instructions.

Approaching the Bible with the confidence that it is our Creator’s instruction manual for affairs of State. In the midst of giving instructions for His creation, our Creator gave specific instructions for operating within Government. As our Creator was establishing the institution of Government, He gave this specific directive to the Head of Government that seemingly applies to all who serve in a decision-making capacity within Government:

And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left (Deuteronomy 17:18-20).

Each governing official is to immerse oneself in God’s instructions that they first write out in their own hand for their own use, and then meditate upon daily. This is fascinating in an age when traditional thinking calls for “separation of Church and State.” The Head of Government, and presumably all officials operating under delegated authority from the Head of Government, are to write out the Law of God from the Bible. This group is apparently the only one that is asked to write the Law of God for their use in fulfilling their responsibilities. No other group than Government decision-makers is identified as required by our Creator to do that. Furthermore, this reminds us of just how important Government decision-makers are in God’s plan and of His plan for them to be His instruments.

Approaching our Creator’s Instruction Manual. Altogether, our Creator made clear that our own intrinsic wisdom is inadequate in navigating the complex challenges facing Government and that we need His wisdom and guidance. It is not enough to want to be obedient to God. We must recognize that our well-intentioned wisdom is inadequate, and we must seek His wisdom – His direct guidance. Hence, we must commit ourselves to this instruction manual as our Creator’s servant expressed:

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path (Psalm 119:105).

Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding so that I can learn Your commands (Psalm 119:73).

The revelation of Your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced (Psalm 119:130).

As we recognize the application of the truths of this portion of the Bible to affairs of State, it is worthy of note that, although the author of this portion does not identify himself, analysts generally consider it be to a king – David – and one considered a Statesman. Hence, every thoughtful person must conclude that the Bible is our Creator’s instruction manual for every area of life, including affairs of State. Hence, let us each make the same commitment as this one whom we must admire:

I am resolved to obey Your statutes to the very end (Psalm 119:112).

CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE STATESMAN

Do I understand the Bible as the instruction manual of God, the Designer and Creator, to mankind?

Do I understand myself as a human implementer on behalf of an unseen God in caring for His creation?

Am I willing to study His instruction manual to apply His instructions in my responsibilities?

The post The Statesman Acknowledges Our Creator’s Instruction Manual appeared first on CENTRE FOR STATECRAFT.

La réalité est que l’homme d’État fonctionne sur des bases qui vont à l’encontre de nos instincts humains. Il vaut donc la peine d’examiner ces bases avec attention.

Le point de départ est qu’il existe un Créateur qui a créé l’univers dans un but précis. Il a déclaré :

Moi, l’Eternel, j’ai fait toutes choses, Seul j’ai déployé les cieux, Seul j’ai étendu la terre (Ésaïe 44:24).

La vérité que nous devons reconnaître est la suivante :

Toutes choses ont été créées par lui, et rien de ce qui a été créé n’a été créé sans lui (Jean 1:3).

Dieu, le Créateur, règne activement sur sa création. Dieu nous dit continuellement : « Je veille activement sur ma création pour qu’elle accomplisse son dessein » :

… Dieu est le Roi de toute la terre. Dieu règne sur les nations ; Dieu est assis sur son trône saint. Les nobles des peuples se sont assemblés avec le peuple du Dieu d’Abraham. Car à Dieu appartiennent les princes de la terre ; il est souverainement élevé (Psaumes 47:7-9).

Le Créateur a un plan qu’il supervise activement. Notre Créateur l’a clairement indiqué :

J’annonce dès le commencement ce qui doit arriver, et dès les temps anciens ce qui n’est pas encore accompli, disant : Mon plan s’accomplira, et j’exécuterai toute ma volonté (Ésaïe 46:10).

N’avez-vous pas entendu ? J’ai conçu cela depuis longtemps, je l’ai projeté dès les temps anciens, et maintenant je l’ai accompli… (Ésaïe 37:26).

Ce que j’ai résolu arrivera, ce que j’ai décidé arrivera… Tel est le projet préparé pour toute la terre, et telle est la main étendue contre toutes les nations. L’Éternel des armées l’a conçu lui-même. Qui donc s’y opposera ? Sa main est étendue : qui donc la renversera ? (Ésaïe 14:24-27)

Son plan est celui du bien-être et d’une qualité de vie que nous n’avons pas encore pleinement atteinte. Dieu le dit clairement : « Mon plan est d’apporter le meilleur bien-être possible à ma création » :

Car je connais les projets que j’ai formés sur vous… des projets de paix et non de malheur, afin de vous donner un avenir et de l’espérance (Jérémie 29:11).

Dieu nous parle de la qualité de vie qu’il souhaite pour chaque être humain en ces termes :

…une vie tranquille et paisible, en toute piété et dignité (1 Timothée 2:2).

Jésus, en tant que Dieu, l’a décrit ainsi :

Mon but est de donner la vie dans toute sa plénitude (Jean 10:10).

Dieu nous rassure : « J’ai créé le monde pour mes propres desseins et je veillerai à ce que mes desseins soient mis en œuvre » :

Je suis Dieu, et il n’y en a point d’autre ; je suis Dieu, et nul n’est semblable à moi. J’annonce dès le commencement ce qui doit arriver, et depuis longtemps ce qui n’est pas encore accompli ; je dis : Mon plan s’accomplira, et j’exécuterai toute ma volonté. J’appelle de l’orient l’oiseau de proie, d’un pays lointain l’homme pour mes desseins. Oui, j’ai parlé, et je le réaliserai. J’ai tout prévu, et je l’exécuterai (Ésaïe 46:9-11).

Ses plans pour le bien-être ne peuvent être réalisés que si nous dépendons de sa direction et de son aide.

Le rôle du gouvernement. Dans le cadre de son plan, le Créateur/Maître Concepteur a investi le gouvernement d’une grande autorité dans le but de répondre aux besoins des gens qui dépassent leur capacité à y répondre par eux-mêmes. Il a établi cette institution dans l’intention d’utiliser les êtres humains, avec leurs défauts, comme ses instruments pour accomplir les objectifs de cette institution. Si vous avez la moindre confusion quant au fait que l’autorité de cette institution vient de Dieu, écoutez l’échange de Jésus avec le fonctionnaire qui a autorité sur Sa vie :

Pilate lui dit : « Ne sais-tu pas que j’ai le pouvoir de te relâcher et le pouvoir de te crucifier ? » « Tu n’aurais aucun pouvoir sur moi, lui répondit Jésus, si cela ne t’avait été donné d’en haut » (Jean 19:10-11).

Dieu, par Jésus, a clairement indiqué que le gouvernement est même autorisé à ôter la vie dans l’exercice de la justice.

Le gouvernement est une institution ordonnée par Dieu. Dieu a créé et conçu le gouvernement pour jouer un rôle essentiel dans la promotion d’une société saine. Dieu nous a donné les instructions suivantes :

Que chacun se soumette aux autorités dirigeantes, car il n’y a pas d’autorité qui ne vienne de Dieu, et celles qui existent ont été instituées de Dieu…. Car l’État est au service de Dieu pour votre bien…. Les autorités sont des serviteurs publics de Dieu, continuellement occupés à ces tâches (Romains 13:1,4,6).

Lorsque Dieu nous dit que la qualité de vie qu’il souhaite pour chaque être humain est :

…une vie tranquille et paisible, en toute piété et dignité (1 Timothée 2 :2),

Il précise très clairement que le gouvernement en a la responsabilité :

Avant tout, j’exhorte donc à faire des requêtes, des prières, des intercessions et des actions de grâces pour tous les hommes, pour les rois et pour tous ceux qui sont élevés en dignité, afin que nous [les gouvernés] menions une vie tranquille et paisible, en toute piété et dignité (1 Timothée 2 :1-2).

Ceux qui opèrent dans cette institution, le gouvernement, sont censés le faire comme Ses mains et Ses pieds. Ils doivent être Ses instruments opérant sous Ses ordres.

Le président Abraham Lincoln a exprimé cette vérité à juste titre lorsqu’il a déclaré :

Dans la position de responsabilité dans laquelle je me trouve placé, étant un humble instrument entre les mains de notre Père céleste, tel que je suis.

Et :

Je me considère dans ma position actuelle et avec l’autorité qui m’est conférée comme un instrument de la Providence.

La vérité est que nous sommes en réalité serviteurs de Dieu et serviteurs du peuple. Nous sommes serviteurs de Dieu dans le but de servir le peuple.

L’application à notre vie est la suivante : si vous aviez un subordonné qui ne communiquait jamais avec vous, dans quelle mesure seriez-vous sûr que ce subordonné faisait ce que vous vouliez ? De même, nous ne pouvons pas espérer répondre aux attentes de notre Maître si nous ne recherchons pas continuellement Sa volonté. Les plans de Dieu impliquent que les fonctionnaires du gouvernement soient Ses instruments pour exécuter Ses desseins. Par conséquent, nous devons nous assurer que nous écoutons Dieu, le Créateur et le Surintendant vivant, comme Il nous le communique dans Son livre d’instructions et par Son Saint-Esprit en nous. Le point de départ est que nous devons nous assurer que Sa présence est avec nous, littéralement, en nous, et que nous avons un cœur pour obéir et mettre en œuvre Ses instructions. Cela repose sur le fait de nous assurer que le canal entre Dieu et nous a été ouvert en profitant de la mort de Jésus pour notre nature pécheresse, et de Sa résurrection. Jésus l’a clairement indiqué lorsqu’Il ​​a dit :

Je suis le chemin, la vérité et la vie. Nul ne vient au Père que par moi (Jean 14:6).

La réalité est que la crucifixion de Jésus a payé le prix de notre désobéissance à notre Créateur qui a fermé la voie d’accès à Lui. Et la résurrection de Jésus d’entre les morts a confirmé qu’Il ​​a accompli ce qu’Il ​​avait promis par Sa crucifixion. Nous devons nous assurer que nous avons franchi cette étape en nous appropriant le pardon de notre Créateur alors que nous recherchons Son aide et Sa puissance nécessaires pour être vraiment Son instrument dans les vies que nous sommes appelés à servir. Il est essentiel que nous nous assurions que l’Esprit de Dieu est en nous afin de faire l’expérience de Sa direction et d’invoquer Sa puissance miraculeuse. Cette réalisation incroyable se résume ainsi :

Celui [Jésus] qui n’a pas connu le péché, Il l’a fait devenir péché pour nous, afin de nous rendre justes devant Dieu, en Lui (2 Corinthiens 5:21).

Assurons-nous que nous sommes :

…devenus justes devant Dieu en Lui [Jésus] (2 Corinthiens 5:21).

QUESTIONS À CONSIDÉRER ENTANT QU’HOMME D’ÉTAT :

Ai-je profité de l’œuvre de Jésus en ma faveur afin de devenir justes devant Dieu en Lui [Jésus] ?

Puis-je me considérer comme un serviteur de Dieu dans le but de faire Sa volonté pour accomplir Son dessein ?

Si je me considérais comme un serviteur de Dieu, que ferais-je différemment ?

The post Le point de vue du gouvernement sur les hommes d’État et ses responsabilités appeared first on CENTRE FOR STATECRAFT.

The reality is that the Statesman operates on a foundation that goes against our human instincts. Hence, it is worth examining that foundation carefully.

The starting point is there is a Designer who created the universe with a purpose. He declared:

I am the Lord, Maker of all things, Who alone stretches out the heavens, Who spreads out the earth by Myself (Isaiah 44:24).

The truth we must acknowledge is:

All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created (John 1:3).

God, the Designer, actively reigns over His creation. God continually tells us: “I actively superintend My creation to achieve its intended purpose”:

 …God is King of all the earth.  God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.  The nobles of the peoples have assembled with the people of the God of Abraham. For the leaders of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted (Psalms 47:7-9).

The Designer has a plan that He actively superintends. Our Creator has made clear:

I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: My plan will take place, and I will do all My will (Isaiah 46:10).

Have you not heard? I designed it long ago; I planned it in days gone by. I have now brought it to pass… (Isaiah 37:26).

As I have purposed, so it will be; as I have planned it, so it will happen….This is the plan prepared for the whole earth, and this is the hand stretched out against all the nations. The Lord of Hosts Himself has planned it; therefore, who can stand in its way? It is His hand that is outstretched, so who can turn it back? (Isaiah 14:24-27)

His plan is for well-being and a quality of life we have not yet fully achieved. God makes clear: “My plan is to bring the best possible well-being for My creation”:

For I know the plans I have for you…plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

God tells us about the quality of life He intends for every human in these words:

…a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity (1 Timothy 2:2).

Jesus, as God, described it this way:

My purpose is to give life in all its fullness (John 10:10).

God assures us: “I have created the world for My own purposes and I will insure that My purposes are implemented”:

I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and no one is like Me. I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: My plan will take place, and I will do all My will. I call a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far country. Yes, I have spoken; so I will also bring it about. I have planned it; I will also do it (Isaiah 46:9-11).

His plans for well-being can only be achieved when we depend upon His guidance and His help.

The Role of Government. As a part of His plan, the Creator/Master Designer vested Government with great authority for the purpose of meeting needs of the people that are beyond their capacity to meet for themselves. He established this institution intending to use human beings, with their flaws, operating as His instruments in accomplishing the purposes for this institution. If there is any confusion that the authority of this institution comes from God, listen to Jesus’ exchange with the governing official who had authority over His life:

Pilate said to Him, “Don’t You know that I have the authority to release You and the authority to crucify You?” “You would have no authority over Me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above” (John 19:10-11).

God, through Jesus, made clear that government is even authorized to take life in the exercise of justice – God’s justice.

Government is a God-ordained institution. God created and designed Government to play a critical role in promoting a healthy society. God has instructed us:

Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God.... For government is God’s servant to you for good…. the authorities are God’s public servants, continually attending to these tasks (Romans 13:1,4,6).

When God tells us that the quality of life He intends for every human is:

…a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity (1 Timothy 2:2),

He makes it very clear that Government has responsibility for this, looking at this statement in context:

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we [those governed] may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Those who operate in this institution, Government, are intended to do so as His hands and feet. They are to be His instruments operating under direction from Him.

President Abraham Lincoln expressed this truth correctly when he said:

In the very responsible position in which I happen to be placed, being a humble instrument in the hands of our Heavenly Father, as I am.

And:

I hold myself in my present position and with the authority vested in me as an instrument of Providence.

The truth is that we are in reality a servant of God and a servant of the people. We are a servant of God for the purpose of serving the people.

The application to our lives is this: If you had a subordinate who never communicated with you, how confident would you be that the subordinate was doing what you wanted? Likewise, we cannot hope to fulfil the expectations of our Master unless we are continually seeking His mind. God’s plans involve governing officials as His instruments in carrying out His plans. Hence, we must make sure we are listening to God, the Creator and active Overseer, as He communicates to us in His instruction book and through His Holy Spirit within us. The starting point is that we must make sure that His presence is with us, literally, within us, and that we have a heart to obey and implement His instructions. This relies on making sure the channel between God and us has been opened by our taking advantage of Jesus’ death for our sinful nature, and His resurrection. Jesus made this clear when He said:

I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6).

The reality is that Jesus’ crucifixion accomplished payment for our disobedience to our Creator that blocked the access channel to Him. And Jesus’ resurrection from death confirmed that He accomplished what He promised through His crucifixion. We must make sure we have taken this step in appropriating our Creator’s forgiveness as we seek His help and His power necessary to truly be His instrument in the lives we are called to serve. It is essential that we make sure the Spirit of God is within us in order to experience His guidance and to invoke His miraculous power. This unbelievable achievement is summarized:

He made the One [Jesus] who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Let us make sure that we have:

…become the righteousness of God in Him [Jesus] (2 Corinthians 5:21).

CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE STATESMAN:

Have I taken advantage of Jesus’ work on my behalf so that I might become the righteousness of God in Him?

Can I see myself as a servant of God for the purpose of doing His will to fulfill His plan?

If I understood myself to be a servant of God, what would I do differently?

The post The View Statesmen Hold of Government and Their Responsibilities appeared first on CENTRE FOR STATECRAFT.

The complexities of administering nations in this interdependent world, where actions in other parts of the world limit our options, makes us wonder whether administering nations is outside the ability of the unaided human being. Then, the thought arises as to whether the Designer of government ever intended us to be self-sufficient in administering our responsibilities by ourselves.

The Statesman understands that in this interdependent world, we face challenges beyond our abilities to solve. Furthermore, the Statesman is unique in that he refuses to be limited by his inherent abilities. As such, he is willing to confront challenges. The Statesman is continually operating beyond the capacity of any human being.

In facing this reality, it is essential to understand that Government is ordained by God for the purpose of bringing blessing to the people, and His intent is to use mere mortals to achieve that goal.

God Himself instructs mankind on the inherent inability of human wisdom:

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways … For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Our Creator intends for us to depend upon Him.  He never intended for us to depend upon our own abilities.

God’s Plans are perfect, far better than anything humanity has to offer. He declares:

 For I know the plans I have for you … plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

He desires to make known His perfect plans to us mortals. Our Creator made this promise to one king, King David:

I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel (Psalm 32:8).

In response, listen to the confidence of that king, as he speaks to God:

You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures (Psalm 16:11).

And then he testifies to his fellow humans:

The secret counsel of the Lord is for those who fear Him (Psalm 25:14).

This leads King David to express to our Creator:

Let me experience Your faithful love in the morning, for I trust in You. Reveal to me the way I should go because I long for You (Psalm 143:8).

And:

You lead and guide me because of Your name (Psalm 31:3).

King Solomon added more insight when he instructed us:

Think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths (Proverbs 3:6).

Receiving wisdom. So what does the Statesman do? Where does he gain the wisdom that he needs for the complex decisions necessary in governing? King Solomon, considered perhaps the wisest man who has ever lives, gave us his understanding:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10).

Those who desire wisdom must seek it from our Creator. In receiving the wisdom of God, we receive guidance from the Master Designer.

Empowering.  What is so special is that our Creator not only supplies the wisdom to face the complexities before us, but He empowers us, through His powerful hand operating on our behalf, to deal with these challenges. Listen to the assurance that He both guides and empowers:

Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

And:

For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose (Philippians 2:13).

What is amazing is that He guides us and then as we follow His guidance, He adds the dimension of His power to accomplish the end result that He desires. Thus, the one trusting Him can say:

I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

What is truly amazing is the extent of His power when His Word describes:

Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3:20).

The power He wishes to exert on our behalf is even beyond our ability to imagine. So, the God of the Universe, who asks the Statesman to accomplish what is beyond the capacity of any mere mortal, supplies the wisdom and guidance to approach that issue, and in addition, the power to accomplish what previously appeared impossible.

This is where we must take advantage of Jesus’ death and resurrection for our sins, thereby opening the channel for us to be able to communicate with our Creator. As Jesus explained, this is the one and only way to gain access to all that our Creator, in His love, has made available to us:

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6).

Let us each avail ourselves of all wisdom, guidance, and empowering that our Creator makes available to us through the forgiveness for our sins that block our access to our Creator by embracing what Jesus has done for us.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE STATESMAN

1. Why would any human being want to ignore the wisdom and empowerment our Creator offers in making decisions on behalf of the people we are called upon to serve in this challenging global environment?
2. What is a specific issue that seems beyond my ability to accomplish that our Creator wants me to trust Him first for the wisdom and then for the power to achieve that goal?

The post The Statesman Is Not Limited by His Own Ability appeared first on CENTRE FOR STATECRAFT.

Our Creator paints a wonderful picture of what to us mortals seems like an unattainable achievement. He vividly describes the future of His Kingdom on this earth when He, through Jesus, will reign on the earth. God briefly describes that kingdom:

The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44).

And then He describes Jesus’ role:

The government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this (Isaiah 9:6-7).

That reign will be characterized by prosperity, justice and righteousness among other things. And, perfect justice will be fulfilled throughout the earth. Evil deeds will cease to be inflicted by humans upon humans. Sharing and generosity will replace selfishness and hoarding. Wars will no longer exist. The groanings of creation from human mismanagement will be no longer.

Is this so unrealistic and out of reach that it should be dismissed as unworthy of consideration? I am convinced NO. Although we live in a world of humans driven by their selfish motivations, I am convinced a proper understanding of God’s reign in His Kingdom can give us a picture of what could be achieved with the help of our Creator.

I am convinced that reflecting on the Kingdom of God causes the Statesman to gain a picture of the world as our Creator intended it to be and to work toward elements of achieving that during this era.

When William Wilberforce envisioned a world where humans have equal dignity regardless of race or social status, I am convinced it was because he had a picture in his mind of what life would be like when God took over and reigned over His Kingdom – where each person has the dignity of being created in the image of God. I believe this picture is what Martin Luther King had in his mind when he declared “I have a dream.” Rather than being a dream, I believe it was a clear picture of God’s Kingdom and of His intent for His creation. I believe that this picture is what Nelson Mandela had in mind when he dedicated his life to personal sacrifice so that the injustice of apartheid could be put away.

The dream or the picture was never perfectly achieved. Nevertheless, each of these visionaries moved us toward that picture. I am convinced that the Statesman can greatly benefit from studying this picture. The picture certainly represents our Creator’s desire for His creation, consisting of blessings which the fallen nature of mankind seeks to deprive us.

I am convinced that those we consider Statesmen have worked to improve our world based on a picture of the Kingdom of God under God’s reign. Furthermore, I am convinced that the one who would be a Statesman can greatly benefit by studying what the Kingdom of God is like and asking God how elements of that Kingdom can be approached during this age of imperfection. I am convinced that the Statesman does not plan based on what he or she can see but upon what can be envisioned while looking intently at the Kingdom of God. I personally dream of leaders looking at the Kingdom of God and committing to come as close as humanly possible to achieving that today by applying our Creator’s revealed principles.

There are several elements of implementing this: Looking at the Kingdom of God, studying it from God’s Word, envisioning it being implemented in one’s nation, and then taking the steps toward bringing it about. Let us consider the following elements:

Envisioning.  Seek to understand the picture God describes of His Kingdom:

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things on earth (Colossians 3:2).

I am sure Wilberforce, King, and Mandela had their detractors who viewed them as unrealistic idealists. Nevertheless, they saw something their detractors were unable to see.

Approaching the seemingly impossible. On one occasion, Jesus, in another context, expressed:

With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

Surely, relying on the supernatural power of God to change hearts and circumstances can be expected to make a difference. God, speaking through one of His servants, reinforced this:

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

Open the communication channel with the One who will reign in implementing His Kingdom. And it is important to understand that our Creator uses imperfect instruments – humans who have a sinful nature but who can have those sins forgiven through our availing ourselves of the forgiveness based upon our repentance and Jesus’ sacrificial work on our behalf on the Cross and His resurrection. The result is that we can benefit from unhindered communication between our Creator and us, including His guidance, and then His power exerted on our behalf.

Operating under our Creator’s guidance. We can only achieve our Creator’s goals when we seek to be His instruments – His hands and His feet in serving humanity. He promises:

I will hold onto you with My righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

This requires the attitude toward our Creator on our part:

I am a stranger on the earth; do not hide Your commands from me (Psalm 119:19).

Let us caution ourselves that any efforts during the current era must take into account that man’s fallen, sinful nature will hinder our efforts. Nevertheless, I am convinced that the more clearly we can see the Kingdom of God, the closer we can come to establishing the world that our Creator intended, with well-being for our people. And in the process, we can display the leadership of a Statesman.

APPLICATION TO THE STATESMAN

What are the major issues I am facing in building a healthy nation and how will God deal with these same issues during His reign?

Considering the fallen nature of man that I confront, how much of what I know God will do may I be able to apply?

The post The Statesman Envisions Our Nations as They Are Intended to Be appeared first on CENTRE FOR STATECRAFT.

In the history of imperfect humans as leaders, one stands out: King David of ancient Israel, who governed for 40 years. Our Creator described him:

I have found David My servant; I have anointed him …. I will also make him … greatest of the kings of the earth (Psalm 89:20, 27).

I have found David …, a man loyal to Me, who will carry out all My will. (Acts 13:22).

[King] David reigned …, administering justice and righteousness for all his people (2 Samuel 8:15; 1 Chronicles 18:14).

During his 40 years of attempting to govern as our Creator’s instrument, often stumbling due to his human weakness, he visualized what the ideal ruler would be like, based upon what he had learned, at the same time integrating this with his understanding of what Jesus’ coming reign would look like. We learn about this composite picture through his aspirations for his son Solomon who would follow him on the throne. This is expressed in Psalm 72 as a prayer for Solomon. Truly, this represents the understanding on the part of one Statesman of what another Statesman would look like. Let us explore some of these insights from this passage. He begins:

God, give Your justice to the king and Your righteousness to the king’s son. (Psalm 72:1).

King David is expressing the need for righteousness and justice, presumably with justice flowing from righteous behavior as foundational to being a good leader – a Statesman. And the righteousness that must serve as the basis is not merely human righteousness, but the righteousness of God provided by His cleansing, through Jesus. Then, based upon that righteousness, we must strive for justice by our actions.

King David reflects on what the resulting society will look like:

May the righteous flourish in his days and prosperity abound … (Psalm72:7).

King David is here arguing that the Statesman would, through his policies and actions, cause the honorable people – the pure-hearted – to thrive, not merely the corrupt and the powerful, as too often seems to be the case. And that prosperity would abound as a result of the good-hearted members of society thriving.

As a further result, King David proceeds:

Let all kings bow down to him (Psalm 72:11).

Seemingly, this respect for the Statesman would come from other national leaders out of respect for his achievements in serving his people. Again, I believe King David is visualizing Solomon’s reign against an understanding of Jesus’ coming reign and praying that Solomon will reign as Jesus will, based on his own partial understanding of Jesus’ coming reign.

King David then illuminates what he believes will be some of the motivations for the Statesman:

For he will rescue the poor who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper (Psalm 72:12).

The heart attitude includes rescuing the poor and the afflicted. What will rescuing the poor look like? We can expect this to go far beyond welfare programs that might create a dependence upon government and may in turn help the leader remain in office. Seemingly, with the help of God’s wisdom, it will entail policies that will truly set the poor and entrapped free.

King David continues, giving us further insight:

He will have pity on the poor and helpless and save the lives of the poor (Psalm 72:13).

“Pity on the poor” connotes deep, heartfelt compassion that will drive the Statesman to act to “save the lives of the poor”, indicating taking strong action on their behalf. King David goes deeper:

He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are precious in his sight (Psalm 72:14).

Redeem, as used here, means “To deliver, to purchase, or to ransom, such as to free a person from bondage by payment.” Applying this to those entrapped in oppression and violence, the implication here is that the poor do not simply suffer from poverty but that they are further taken advantage of by the more powerful due to their helplessness. Hence, this statement also implies actively removing the threat of violence against them, as they may be unable to do this for themselves.

Caring for the lives of the poor and oppressed is not to be viewed as a hindrance to achieving one’s grand dreams for the development of the nation. Rather, the lives of the poor and the powerless are to be viewed as just as valuable to the nation as those of the rich and powerful. In fact, they are also to be recognized as created in the image of God, with the amazing potential this offers, and need to be set free to achieve all this entails. They need to live with hope and dream of achieving this. The clear implication here is that those once considered weak and a drain can be expected to become a strong asset to the nation. Hence the motivation for these efforts:

For their lives are precious in his sight (Psalm 72:14).

From King David’s point of view, this is the heart attitude that drives the Statesman – viewing the lives of those served as precious and valuable.

All this leads to an often overlooked component in the effectiveness of the Statesman:

May prayer be offered for him [the leader, the Statesman] continually, and may he be blessed all day long. (Psalm 72:15).

This reflects the partnership between the people governed and the leader – the governed continually appealing to our Creator to give guidance, wisdom, and favor to the good leader as he must act in the face of challenges beyond his ability in service to the people.

This leads to the accomplishment envisioned by King David, expressed:

May there be plenty of grain in the land… May people flourish in the cities like the grass of the field (Psalm 72:16).

The result of this kind of leadership is expected to be associated with prosperity and abundance – literally, the people flourishing.

And the consequences for this leader:

May his name endure forever; as long as the sun shines, may his fame increase (Psalm 72:17).

May he be remembered as a great and honorable leader, literally, a Statesman. King David had laid out how he understood his son Solomon could be remembered as a Statesman.

Of further significance:

May all nations be blessed by him and call him blessed (Psalm 72:17).

His good governance can be expected to contribute to well-being not only in the leader’s own nation, but in nations throughout the world. The actions of the true Statesman can be expected to ultimately contribute to the betterment of all humanity, as we see resulting from more recent Statesmen: William Wilberforce, Abraham Lincoln, George C. Marshall, Nelson Mandela.

To summarize, King David, one of the great Statesmen of all time, based upon what our Creator had taught him about governing from his own successes and failures, and his limited knowledge of what Jesus’ future reign would be like, shared these perspectives on what a Statesman would do in heart and action.

APPLICATION FOR THE STATESMAN

1. Can I truly see myself as God’s instrument in the lives of those for whom I am responsible, as King David clearly understood we must be?
2. In my desire to be the kind of leader King David described, what would God have me to do?
3. For example, when I embrace the heart attitude toward the poor and disadvantaged that King David advocated – “they are precious in his sight” – what steps must I take?

The post A Statesman’s Insights for Becoming a Statesman appeared first on CENTRE FOR STATECRAFT.

We all recognize that a major part of the genius of the Statesman is the ability to see into the future and to effectively plan for it – to make decisions that impact much longer than the term in office. As expressed by Edmund Burke in the eighteenth century:

The great difference between the real statesman and the pretender is that the one sees into the future, while the other regards only the present; the one lives by the day, and acts on expediency; the other acts on enduring principles and for immortality.

In other words, the Statesman does not simply plan to meet the needs of the people over the time in office and will not simply be driven by aspirations of reelection. Rather, the Statesman cares about needs that will improve the quality of life for the people long after leaving office. This represents sincere concern for the people that will make their lives truly better and not just meet needs that will briefly satisfy the people. I believe Burke’s key was when he used the phrase “for immortality”. Burke is suggesting that the Statesman operates with an eternal perspective. I want to explore with you the significance of Burke’s phrase “for immortality” as it applies to the making of Statesmen.

Let us begin by looking at the eternal perspective that can provide this foundation. When Jesus was about to have His life cut short, He encouraged His followers by helping them to see into the future:

Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. You know the way to where I am going (John 14:2-4).

Jesus clearly described the reality of a future life of living in the presence of God that would be eternal in existence for those who would embrace it. We are told about our eternal body we will be robed in:

Jesus Christ … will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself (Philippians 3:20-21).

One of God’s servants addressed the issue of looking forward to this privilege, compared to living in this earthly body:

For we know that if our temporary, earthly dwelling is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. Indeed, we groan in this body, desiring to put on our dwelling from heaven, since, when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. And the One who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment (2 Corinthians 5:1-5).

We are admonished to remember that we have an eternal existence to look forward to as we live out these short years on this earth. Then, our Creator clarified through this servant that the body in which we currently live is temporary and we must look forward to the permanent body that we will become if we will allow our Creator to do His work on our behalf. God’s spokesman then addressed how we should live as we look forward to our heavenly existence, based upon our assurance that the promise of Jesus is certain:

So, we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the [earthly] body we are away from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight, and we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord. Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or worthless (2 Corinthians. 5:6-10).

God summarizes our expected response to this truth:

We make it our aim to be pleasing to [God].

I submit to you that having such an eternal view on our own lives affects the way we live each day and the decisions we make, all as we look forward to eternity with our loving Creator. We recognize that we will be held accountable for those decisions. Then consider the impact upon our decisions when we recognize that the lives of those we serve are eternal beings. We recognize that we are stewards for the well-being of these eternal beings, all of whom, we are reminded are created in the image of God and have eternal significance.

According to Burke, the Statesman acts with the future in mind, including with immortality in mind. Hence, we must conclude that our own preparation for eternity, and our keeping our focus upon it, as we go about our daily lives can impact the Statesman’s decision-making. As a part of that stewardship, we must ensure that our decisions facilitate the journey of each person under our care toward the eternal life that awaits them. Applying this reality to the life of the governing official is what, Burke is convinced, contributes to the making of the Statesman.

With this in mind, what must we do, and everyone we are responsible for, to ensure that we each have this future to look forward to? Returning to Jesus’ words:

I am going away to prepare a place for you … I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also (John 14:2-3).

We have the promise by Jesus, supported by the integrity of His character, which is clear to every thoughtful person. Then, Jesus assures us that He has clearly given us everything we need to know to receive this eternal life with Him:

You know the way to where I am going (John 14:4).

As Jesus continued this conversation with His followers, He reminded us of what that way is:

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 10:10).

Jesus referred to the one and only provision for our sin nature through His death and resurrection, which soon followed. As a result of embracing Jesus’ provision for what would otherwise lead to an eternity apart from Him in hell, we have assurance of an eternity with Him, with His Father, and with all those who have embraced this same provision.

APPLICATION FOR THE STATESMAN

As a private citizen, am I prepared for eternity, in the presence of God as opposed to away from Him in hell?

As a government decision-maker, do my decisions reflect recognition that those I am called to serve are eternal beings headed for heaven or hell and need to be treated as created in the image of God and with immense dignity?

The post The Long Term Planning of the Statesman appeared first on CENTRE FOR STATECRAFT.

The seventeenth century French philosopher Blaise Pascal described a vacuum in the heart of each human. I am convinced this vacuum has profound implications for the Statesman. Specifically, I would like to discuss with you the implications in the life of the Statesman of leaving this vacuum unfilled. Pascal’s statement is:

There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each human which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator made known through Jesus Christ.

This vacuum has implications for the Statesman personally and for the people the Statesman is called to serve. It speaks of an empty place in the life of every individual. How does this apply to the Statesman? This has great significance for the Statesman who has responsibility not only for his own life but also for the lives impacted by his decisions. Jesus made a profound statement to His close followers that provides some insight as He was, I believe, addressing an aspect of this vacuum:

Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it (Luke 10:23-24).

The reference point Jesus gave was the mysteries that the prophets in the Old Testament of the Bible spoke of – mysteries so profound that the prophets themselves did not understand that of which they spoke. The mysteries of which the prophets spoke was a work of God. Furthermore, the desire of these prophets to understand these mysteries was a work of God. God, through Jesus, was here explaining that kings also wanted to understand the mysteries of God with the same hunger as the prophets. Clearly, this interest on the part of kings, and those who serve in Government, is a special work of God.It is a special work of God in the lives of those who serve in Government because of the significance of their decisions in the lives of people they serve as a part of achieving our Creator’s plan for well-being:

That we [humans] may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity (1 Timothy 2:2).

I submit to you that the two vacuums of which Pascal and Jesus spoke are closely related and have a two-fold purpose in the life of the governing leader.

First, this vacuum represents an intense effort to draw the leader to God for his or her personal sake. God loves the Statesman as a part of His deep love for all of His creation. And He cares about the quality of life and the eternal destiny for governing leaders as human beings. Jesus, as God, expressed this when He explained.

I came that they have life and have it to the fullest (John 10:10).

Jesus was clarifying that every human being, Statesman included, cannot have life to the fullest without embracing Jesus.

Second, filling the spiritual vacuum fills the vacuum of the need for understanding by the Statesman of the purpose of our Creator within His designed world order. For example, one king (David) expressed this to God:

You reveal the path of life to me (Psalm 16:11).

Then, we have God speaking to this same king:

I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel (Psalm 32:8),

leading this king to assure us:

The counsel of the Lord stands forever (Psalm 33:11).

This is tremendously reassuring to the one who must make decisions affecting the lives of the people.

God, clarifying further His intentions to one of His servants in a way I am convinced applies to each of our lives:

I am with you, … I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will hold onto you with My righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

This promise of God holding us by the hand, leading and guiding us, is tremendously reassuring to the Statesman. When we have a personal friendship with God that fills this vacuum, He guides us along the loving path He has for us. This has immense implications for the Statesman. As a part of the vacuum we are addressing, the Statesman often does not know the decision to make in fulfilling His responsibilities and needs God to fill this vacuum in guiding him. Thus, leaving the vacuum unfulfilled has great implications for the Statesman and, especially for those he or she is called to serve, as decisions are easily made inconsistent with the good our Creator intends.

There are also implications for the personal life of the Statesman when one considers that this life is a pathway to our eternal existence – either an eternity with our Creator in heaven, or an eternity separated from Him referred to as hell.

How does the Statesman fill this vacuum? Let us return to the statement that Pascal made:

There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each human which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator made known through Jesus Christ.

Pascal, consistent with everything our Creator has taught us, made clear that this vacuum must be filled uniquely:

only by God the Creator made known through Jesus Christ.

Referring to this issue, Jesus made clear that His death is the one and only payment for the consequences of our sin nature that separates every individual from God, as He paid the penalty for us which no human is capable of paying for oneself:

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6).

And the result:

I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will never die – ever (John 11:25).

Each one of us must claim this payment that has already been made on our behalf by Jesus and is freely available to us.

APPLICATION TO THE STATESMAN:

Have I addressed the vacuum that God has lovingly placed in my life to remind me that I need His help?

Do I understand that leaving this vacuum empty hinders me from meeting the needs of my people as God intended?

Am I willing to humble myself and embrace Jesus as the One and only One who can fill this vacuum in my life as Pascal prescribes and has eternal consequences for me?

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