Another One Bit the Dust...
In fact, two did. Within the last month, two politicians who have proudly carried the Christian torch, one a United States Senator and the other a well-known Governor, have admitted to sexual immorality and to breaking their marriage vows. Every time a rising political star who claims to be a Christian flames out, there are the predictable responses by the media.

Some of the media appear to enjoy announcing the failure of Christians, and they are even more gleeful if the fallen star is of the opposing political party. Others quickly tell us we need to forgive, and what a person does in their private life is unrelated to what they do in the public life. And then, many of the self-appointed media, the regular callers on radio talk shows, quickly inform the uninformed masses that the reason the politician failed was because he or she was not really Christian. By the way, just because a person has the call-in talk show phone number on his or her speed dial list does not make them a member of the media.

How should Christians respond when politicians or public personalities fail?

• Acknowledge what they have done is not just wrong, it is sinful. Sin defies God and harms humanity. When anyone breaks a marriage vow, it does impact others. If you doubt this, just ask the family, friends, and political supporters of those who have experienced it.

• Don’t try to explain “why.” Our attempts to explain usually add little information other than revealing the breadth of our ignorance.

• Tell folks that God forgives. Through repentance and faith, we experience redemption. God does not cause sinful actions. So, please don’t say “these things have a purpose,” implying God caused it. Yes, God can use what happened if those involved follow the 3 R’s of recovery: Repent of sin, Renew your faith, and Relate responsibly to the body of Christ. (This last “R” means you accept accountability with other Christians.)

• Pray for the people involved, including their families.

• Then, move on to talk about something else, family, football, finances… Just shut up and move on.

And one more thing…No, I think I will take my own advice and just shut up and move on.

Gary Fenton