By: Rev. Dr. David M. Berman Th.D     www.wakeupandsmellthetruth.com

As we approach the presidential primary season and in to the presidential election, I am getting the questions I always get around election time. People ask me who I would endorse for the primary and ultimately for President. Due to my involvement in the pro-family, pro- Constitution, and pro-life etc, I am always contacted by various political office seekers wanting my help to “get the message out” here in NH The nations first primary. The problem is that it is getting increasingly difficult to have any faith that their message is indeed their real core principled unmovable position. I have been told of their positions being foundational to their candidacy only to find out that their “foundation” was built on the sand of political expedience to the desired end of service to self-interest. Oh how they love us Christian Conservatives when the election season approaches. Oh how they like to make us feel that our principled Constitutional world view is important only to stab us in our backs!

This is the problem with those who are not saturated with the virtues of honor and integrity. These virtues do not translate to perfection by any means. In fact no human, no matter how virtuous will ever be able to live in perfection. Instead these virtues are embodied in both action and attitude. The man of honor makes every attempt to keep his word, but clearly there are errors in judgment from time to time. The attitude of a man of honor is the attitude of repentance and making the situation right if he can. The founders were men of honor.

They did not look out for their own interests but rather for the interests of their fellow Americans. They were in political positions, but they were not politicians in the modern sense. They instead were statesmen. Consider my following explanation of the difference between a politician and a statesman:

A politician is one who sees the world as a place for his own desired end. He is a servant of self. He is one who cares for the moment of his own glory, and thus will promise anything, do anything, and talk himself into anything that seems to bring him political gain. A statesmen is not so, for he sees his position as a servant of those whom he leads, and looks to the future of his country with disregard for his own short term gain. This he does with the hope that history will judge him well.

I am not saying that there is no give and take in negotiations between good people who may differ on the ways to handle various situations. The art of being a statesman includes the ability to work out differences in a way that allows for compromise on details and such, but never allows for compromise on principle.

The word humility is one that conjures up an image in the mind of most of a weak little person without opinion or convictions; a person who is unwilling to fight if necessary, or stand for anything. This is not the case at all. Jesus was humble but not weak. He stood for truth and was willing to confront evil and pay the price for the sins of us all. There is humility in the heart of a true statesman. We need strong, powerful, Constitutional leaders with conviction at the core of their being. The statesman knows that there is more at stake besides his career. The word humility is of the most fragile to define in oneself. It is so due to the actuality that when one who is a mere human supposes himself to be humble, negates the reality of what humility is. It is a paradox that is difficult to comprehend. Those who see themselves as humble are often the most filled with pride. Those who in the revelation of Christ see their own wretchedness of sinful pride are often the most humble and are able to stand for truth while leaning on who truth is; Jesus the Christ!

Which political party has the honor? Which political organization carries the high ground? Is it the Democrats? Is it the Republicans? Is it some third emerging political party? The answer is simple. There is no political party that has the honor. The political parties are made up of people. If the party is powered by leaders who are statesmen, it will most likely be a party of honor for the time it is being led by honorable leaders. At the moment the leaders become politicians, the party loses its honor. We must stop looking at political parties like some sort of professional sports team where all that matters is winning. What is the honor of winning if the principles are done away with in order to win? There is no victory in winning the election and at the same time losing the Constitution!!!!!

 I am a Constitutional American Patriot. As an American, I do not look to any party to be my Savior. I look to Christ for salvation. I look to proven men of honor to lead in government affairs. It is harder and harder to find the diamonds among the impersonating glass. It is not perfection I seek in men, but rather honor. It is not stubbornness I seek in men, but rather humility. It is my view that it is impossible to have honor, integrity, and most of all, humility unless one understands his need for Jesus Christ. Man left to his own human lusts will manifest the worst kinds of selfishness to the detriment of all who stand in his way. A man who cannot see the powerful deception of his own human nature is destined for failure in the end. The end of unbridled human nature is licentious corrupt power. The power of a man who deems himself purposely, or by self-deceit to be his own God, will ultimately lead to his undoing. Even the Christian must always remember that his born nature is to sin, and must be continually fought against in order to see prosperity of life. It takes but a moment with guard down to be struck by one’s own evil wishes.

As we seek to vote for the best candidates in every election let us remember that it is honor we look for. It is not winning that we look for. We must hold those who claim honor to its standards. Many in the pro family movement are willing to play political games because they have become part of the main stream political problem. We must stand fixed on principle, and not willing to bend principle under the banner of being pragmatic. It is the exchange of ideas that change minds not the caving in due to political correctness. Again it is not perfection for all of us may give into temptation, for thus is the reason we depend upon Christ for our salvation, it is instead core principled statesmen we seek to lead us while they are bathed in humility of mind. Leaders who understand that our help is in the name of the Lord will not often let us down. These leaders are what we need. We need leaders who see victory as winning the principles of liberty, under the self evident endowment of certain inalienable rights given by our Creator. The next time you think of trusting a certain political party I hope you think of this article and trust Christ instead. Vote for the best candidate you can find who stands on the Constitutional principles and remember honor, integrity, humility, and conviction as the requirements of a true leader.

By Rev. Dr. David M. Berman Th.D. Click here for bio and archived articles