Several things have come on to the national scene during the last few years to remind us of the ongoing moral war. Serious moral issues are involved. Many lessons may be gleaned from our national disgrace.
Sin Will Find Us
Out (Numbers 32:23)
There have been denials, which were nothing but lies, about relationships, which were adulterous. These involved married men and young women who were vulnerable to people in positions of power. I believe those involved felt no one would ever learn the details. How wrong they were! Our sins are an open book, completely known to God. We all have seen some of those involved walking from religious services carrying their Bibles. Was this because they believed the Book or wanted to be seen through the media as men holding a faith? God’s Word condemns unfaithfulness, dishonesty, deceitfulness, lying and adultery. What people do in their private lives are reflections that carry over into their public lives. Their examples of character, fidelity and honesty must be consistent. Sins against others are wrong, whether they come to national attention or not. How can we be expected to respect men who cheat on their wives and children, dishonor those who voted for them, mock the taxpayers who pay their salaries, use government moneys and campaign contributions to pay legal bills that should not have been necessary in the first place, and then act as though it is no big deal? Sin is sin, regardless of who is guilty.
Leadership Demands
Character and Morality
We have frequently heard, ‘‘Moral character doesn’t matter; what one does in private is no one else’s business as long as it doesn’t affect his job performance.” Too many have swallowed this lie as though it were the truth (Romans 1:25). Leadership that is not faithful in private conduct will and has failed in greater responsibilities (Luke 16:10; Matthew 25:21). The key to effective leadership has always been godly morality and character. Anything less is evil leaven, which will rise to the surface. The media parades the ungodly before us and calls it normal; the disgusting, it calls acceptable; the immoral, it says is love; and the media even pronounces as a love child the result of adultery, though the man had a wife and children. It is not the innocent child’s fault, but the lust involved was sin, leading to adultery! May we wake up as a nation and hold these men accountable before God withdraws from us and sends His unsparing judgment. If we will not uphold righteousness and justice, then we will be a reproach to the Lord (Proverbs 14:34).
Genuine Repentance
Is the Answer
Throughout each of these incidences of this nature, historically, we have been served a smorgasbord of apologies in different tones and deceitful language that led us to question the apologists’ sincerity (2 Corinthians 7:6-11). When the language is vague, excuses are made, rationalization is expressed and blame is shifted to justify self, what are we to conclude? Genuine repentance and godly sorrow would be noticeable if voiced. Worldly sorrow seeks to delay, not diligently settle matters; seeks to conceal wrongdoing, not clear it; gives strange definitions to obvious acts of sexual misconduct; has indignation toward those who seek to resolve matters, not absolve self for ungodly acts. Leaders of this sort appear to have no fear of consequences for breaking the law, and even act as though they are above the law. They have a vehement desire, not to correct misconduct, but to destroy accusers. Their zeal is directed to protect self and position, not cease nauseating wrongs. Often, public figures persuade others to speak up for them to try to clear them, rather than admitting and dealing with sins committed. Where is the repentance?
We are at a critical juncture as a nation. If a society allows such actions to run rampant and fails to uphold the principles by which God blessed it and which made her great, then she will be brought down by God, who controls this world. What used to slither down the backstreets now parades down main street, with far too many standing and applauding as the circus passes by. As my grandma used to say, “It’s time to do some needed cleaning up before things get worse.” We must care about the facts and not be ruled by our feelings.
Many Americans are rightfully embarrassed about the reprehensible conduct from their leaders. We must not let their attitudes and actions that mock God win. We must not laugh, but rather be repulsed and ashamed of what has taken place, and we need to pray and work for positive change. May we remember that what we tolerate is what we will have. From our house to the White House, may we all realize that when we make commitments to Almighty God, to constituents or a marriage partner, our vows and promises should be taken seriously and kept. Let’s get back to purity of life and truly be one nation under God.
