We who write for thefrontieratgrace.com often comment on sports themes, but rarely does the intersection between sports and life get this much press. Yesterday the NCAA leveled extremely strong penalties against Penn State in connection with the infamous Jerry Sandusky sex-abuse scandal, including a $60 million fine, a 4-year bowl ban, loss of 20 scholarships for 4 years, and forfeiture of a decade and a half of wins. The day before, Penn State officials took down the statue of Joe Paterno. How symbolic.
Maybe it is more common in our age for revered figures to fall from grace; at the very least such falls receive more intense scrutiny and publicity nowadays. The question for us today is not, “Have you heard about a leader whose legacy was forever tainted?” but rather, “What is your thought process when you hear about such things?”
Many thoughtful Christian men will respond to the scandal by calling themselves and others to renewed watchfulness, accountability, and boundary-setting. And certainly there is a place for that. Sadly, though, I sense that our resolve to “make sure something like this doesn’t happen to me” sometimes degenerates into legalism and a false sense of security in our own efforts.
Why is this? Because the state of a man’s heart determines his behavior, not the other way around (Luke 6:43–45).
If the sanctions leveled against Penn State remind us of the gravity of sin and humble us as we reflect on our own fallibility, so be it.
Let us not forget, though, that all moral failings ultimately come from within, not from without.
So while we men may erect boundaries to protect ourselves from ourselves, we must also take down boundaries we have built in our hearts against the God who makes us holy. And it is the latter of the two construction projects that is most important.
—Beau Stanley
Beau,
Earlier this morning, I read a commentary by Rob Oller of the Columbus Dispatch. In the commentary, he compared the sanctions levied against Penn State by the NCAA to a parent who has disciplined their child. It’s a tough love kind of thing. These sanctions are meant to send a message to Penn State and beyond that this type of behavior is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. I found myself asking whether the “fear” of receiving this kind punishment will actually result in changed behaviors and attitudes. I believe that in the short term, probably yes. In the long term however the answer is probably no. Why do I say no? Unfortunately, these sanctions do not address the heart issue. As you so correctly stated, a man’ heart determines his behavior.
In a culture that says “truth is relevant”, punishment and discipline issued be man will never result in a transformed heart. True transformation can only come from the awareness that there is someone bigger than us; someone whose laws and morals transcend our own understanding (in my opinion, evidence for God.) As I have examined my own life, it’s only been through a transformation of the heart that I’ve been able to change certain behaviors and attitudes. This has come as a result of my desire to love, know & honor God.
Blessings,
BDE
Brian,
I saw Oller’s commentary as well, and I find him to be a very thoughtful writer. The connection between punishment and the attitudes of the heart is a subject worthy of much meditation. Oller’s analogy of parenting is relevant because the parent/child relationship is a familiar “lab” in which we see punishment meted out by an imperfect but hopefully well-intentioned authority figure. Personally I have some reservations about the NCAA acting as the “parent” here, but that is another topic.
Thanks for your comments, Brian!
Beau,
“we must also take down boundaries we have built in our hearts against the God who makes us holy.” I don’t think I have every heard it put that way. I’ve heard of hardened hearts which seems more general. Could you give a few examples to get me thinking more about this.
Steve
Steve,
Piggybacking on the theme of boundaries, the point is that people shut God out of certain areas of their heart, so to speak – perhaps someone chooses not to let past hurts be a topic of conversation with God, or he gives God the “holy Heisman,” as Kary Oberbrunner puts it, with respect to certain sins, desires, or insecurities. He just won’t let God “touch” these things and they never get dealt with as a result.
The connection between what has transpired at Penn State and the daily battles with our attitudes of the heart, is the oft-constant justifications we make on what is right and wrong in our eyes. More or less, it often comes down to how we view the sin and whether it’s a lesser sin than another. instead of focusing on what Jesus asks of us (to follow Him), we follow a set of rules and standards that will feel are appropriate for our situations. Our comfort zone, if you will. I have been guilty of this for sure.
In the culture that was manifested at Penn State, it should be a fair warning to the Men of the Frontier that we cannot pick and choose what is right and wrong simply to advance a greater human goal. It’s no different than how we treat money – we can say, I deserve to spend it on a boat or Porsche because I earned it or we can say, I will give back to the Lord what is rightfully his. When we waiver from God’s game plan, we can seriously alter our hearts and minds in a way that can blur our vision morally.
I, for one, am happy to see that the culture at Penn State has been jolted with a wake-up call. The true test, as Brian E. pointed out, will be what happens down the road. I’m reminded of the Nation of Israel who constantly would rebel against God, cry out to be rescued, be rescued, but turn around and fall into a sinful pattern again. We must always guard our hearts and let the lessons of Penn State resonate. It’s not about protecting our reputations or status in society, but adhering to what Paul so beautifully states in Ephesians 6:10-18
“Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints….”