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Exalting Humans…
After reading the hard to pronounce book of Ecclesiastes (which is pronounced ih-klee-zee-as-tees) I came across this ancient verse from King Solomon.
“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. (Ecclesiastes 7:20)”
Frequently in my life I look to numerous men of great worth, honor, status, etcetera, & view them as the standard of what a person should be in life.
Truthfully however using people (regardless of prestige & historical importance) as a human measuring rod is dangerous as even the greatest men held in high esteem (at least to the world masses) often have held character flaws which many today would find reprehensible.
Examples
- Nelson Mandela (whom I admire) helped end deadly apartheids in South Africa, but before that he led deadly terrorists attacks which killed women & children.
- Abraham Lincoln helped end slavery in the US, but was willing to tolerate its presence for political reasons.
- Martin Luther who was responsible for the Protestant Revolution in Christendom was also antisemtic (yes, really!)
Instead of making mini idols of “great” men in the past, present or future, my standard of what is greatness should come from the infallible.
After all, humans (despite their awesomeness) are imperfect at best, & it would be wise for me to rely upon God as the example of greatness than mortal man.
**Image Credits:* Abraham Lincoln & Martin Luther are public domain (via Wikipedia), while Nelson Mandela is licensed to South Africa The Good News.
