MAKING A LIST

From My Perspective - - -

All of us are familiar with “Lists”! There is the List of items needed from the store; things that need one’s attention more immediately than not; bills that have to be paid; appointments that need to be kept; school assignments and test schedules; people who should be written or called; etc. When we approach Christmas-Time we are reminded in the song: “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” – that – “he’s making a list and checking it twice, he’s gonna’ find out whose been naughty or nice…”

Every year, Forbes publishes a list of the richest Americans. At the top of that list is Bill Gates of Microsoft, followed by Warren Buffet. Four of the Top Ten are Waltons who are heirs of the Wal-Mart empire. In terms of politics, C-Span developed a recent listing of the Top Best and Worst Presidents of the United States. Abraham Lincoln was ranked the best. George Washington was second, followed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, Harry Truman and John F. Kennedy. Ronald Reagan was 10th. Bill Clinton was 15th. The survey graded each president on a scale of one ("not effective") to ten ("very effective"). The bottom five were: James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, Franklin Pierce, William H. Harrison and Warren G. Harding. George W. Bush was 36th on the list. His dad was 18th. Such listings are subjective and will vary as time passes.

The United States Constitution is a statement regarding how this nation is to be governed. Attached to that Constitution are 27 Amendments that make stipulations and guarantee freedoms and rights. It makes this a land of law and order. “In the United States, the law is derived from four sources. These four sources are constitutional law, statutory law, administrative regulations, and the common law (which includes case law). The most important source of law is the United States Constitution. All other law falls under, and is subordinate to, that document. No law may contradict the Constitution. For example, if Congress enacts a statute that conflicts with the Constitution, the Supreme Court may find that law unconstitutional, and declare it invalid.”

When we come to human behavior, we tend to relegate it to the Ethical norms. “Ethics refers to standards of behavior that tell us how human beings ought to act in the many situations in which they find themselves-as friends, parents, children, citizens, businesspeople, teachers, professionals, etc.” Ethics is not the same as feelings. Feelings provide important information for our ethical choices. Ethics is not religion. Many people are not religious, but ethics applies to everyone. Most religions do advocate high ethical standards but sometimes do not address all the types of problems we face. Ethics is not following the law. A good system of law does incorporate many ethical standards, but law can deviate from what is ethical. Ethics is not following culturally accepted norms. Some cultures are quite ethical, but others become corrupt. Ethics is not science. Social and natural science can provide important data to help us make better ethical choices. But science alone does not tell us what we ought to do.

Consider these things with me - - - God gave His people the Ten Commandments that instructed them what they were to believe about God and what duties God required of man. In like manner, God gave man the Fruit of the Spirit that was to serve to develop positive Christian Behaviors for all of one’s interactions. It fits within the framework of what Paul wrote Timothy - "Be an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12); and "Do your best to present yourself to God as a workman who is approved…who does not need be ashamed" (2 Timothy 2:15). Making a list and following it is NOT the desired goal, whereas making a Commitment to Christ and His Word IS the goal. Effectiveness in touching the lives of others will flow out from the level of Commitment one has made to the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Goal is to Know Him and to Make Him Known. As we do so, we will please and honor Him!