I have been reading this book, supposedly written By John F. Kennedy, and that's a whole other story. But here's a quote that I wish the Senators of our day would understand, because they sure don't.
"In short, according to this school of thought, if I am to be properly responsive to the will of my constituents, it is my duty to place their principles, not mine, above all else. This may not always be easy, but it nevertheless is the essence of democracy, faith in the wisdom of the people and their views. To be sure, the people will make mistakes--they will get no better government than they deserve--but that is far better than the representative of the people arrogating for himself the right to say he knows better than they what is good for them. Is he not chosen, the argument closes, to vote as they would vote were they in his place?" -John F. Kennedy
I'm learning, as I read this book, that politics has it's own way of doing things. I always thought if I were to be in Congress I could simply be me. But it's not that easy, I have seen. The Christian in Congress surely must hold Christ above all, and the Bible his final authority, but he must also be a politician. Just as a Christian football player must do the things a football player does, like knock a fellow man on his derier. Or a Christian hockey player may have to be in a scuffle. And so it goes.
Christians need to live a godly life, but within their occupation, and this will be different for each sphere. And the political scene is a lot different than I thought. May the Lord help me to continue to learn about these things in the light of His truth. Amen.
9 comments:
but within their occupation
Don...you point this out.
An occupation is simply that, something that occupies. As a Christian - I may be in any occupation - and it is only that, something that occupies my time. I will always be, first and foremost a Christian. (so to it should be with the politician).
However the issue, I believe, occurs when that which occupies becomes that which calls. Once someone places that which occupies over that which calls - we have an issue of misplaced Lordship.
Jesus is Lord of All....
Don,
You and Iam4Jesus raise some interesting questions. I think about this often. In light of what both of you have said, do you think there are occupations which Christians should avoid? Or to put it more strongly, are there occupations into which Christians cannot enter with a clear conscience?
Do we all agree that a Christian must obey Christ before any human authority? That the occupation may never displace the authority of Christ?
What about a career in which one voluntarily submits not only the right to make decisions about his own life but may well be required (not simply asked, but required!) to do things contrary to his conscience before the Lord?
Hey Chris and Dave,
Some good thoughts. I have a company where I install aluminum gutters & spouts on houses. I believe God put me exactly where I am. I work here, and try to bring honor to Christ. The Lord surely calls us to work, and make a living. If we don't, then we are worse than an infidel.
And I think there are occupations which would be wrong. Working for a magazine publisher who publishes pornography for instance.
There's such a publisher here in Baltimore, who called me for a gutter job. I did it, and had to use the bathroom, and as I walked to the bathroom through his warehouse it was full eveywhere with "dirty magazines", which i had to try and look away.
Later when the owner came to pay me, I mentioned to him I had to close my eyes as I walked through your warehouse. And we prayed for this man.
And the bad occupations out there will be mostly obvious I think to a child of the kingdom.
Then there may be a gray area, and it depends on one's conviction.
That's why I don't like to boycott companies like Disney, for having Gay Day, as despicable as that is. Because there surely may be a lot of Christians who work for Disney.
Those are some quick thoughts. FWTW.
Shiloh guy...Don essentially said what I would have said.
I actually turned down a rather large client because he wanted me to meet with him on Sundays. Now - I don not believe that I would lose my salvation for working on a Sunday, but I do have my priorities - and that day of the week I have established in our home to be a day that we do not work...
I have yet to do work for a pornography publisher....I am certain that (if I knew in advance) I would not take the job.
I even take this principle into financial resources. I study my IRA and the finds that are involved. Actually my plans are managed by the Timothy Plan. I don't want any of my fund "growth" to gain from the profit of an immorally profiting business. At my previous employer I actually denied the 401K plan because too many of the funds got poor ratings based on these issues. Sure, I may have lost money - but in the light of the Kingdom, I would rather lose money than indirectly promote immorality.
When I stand before the Lord - I can't say "but Lord, my retirement fund was well stacked"...even though I supported destructive behaviors...
If I am not certain - I would rather err on the side of LIFE and lose money than give asset to evil and gain.
As I read the (alleged) quote from JFK, I was reminded of those doctors who cater to rock bands and actors - you know, the ones who specialize in prescribing whatever drugs the "star" wants? As is too often the case - the result is an overdose, and sometimes even death.
A "good" doctor won't prescribe something to you just because you ask for it - he will prescribe what you need.
Some people regard a politician as only being "good" insofar as he is a yes man who prescribes whatever his consituents ask for.
While the odd constituent may so saturate himself with political information that he or she can offer informed political opinions - I suspect that most cannot, and given my suspicion, I would rather put someone in office I trust, and hope that he paddles our boat in the right direction, than put someone in power who is merely going to let the boat go wherever popular opinion takes it.
I prefer Statesman to politicians.
JFK does talk about principles and conscience as well.
Thanks for your thoughts Daniel, and for stopping by.
There's much more to being a Senator, then meets the eye is what I've been getting out of this book.
The early Senators used to challenge one another to duels. And they would actually step off only nine feet and fire.
Wouldn't that be something to see in our day.
Ah! dueling. At least these men were passionate about what they were doing. I don't think I would actually watch a duel though - too macabre for me. ;)
Sandman and 4Jesus,
I appreciate your responses. I'll now confess to what I was really thinking about...military service. It is a matter best left to personal conscience but I have a very hard time allowing the government to tell me what to do and expect me to do it without question.
You guys can respond...I'm ducking behind my desk...
Shiloh Guy,
I have no problem with the military. I would be willing to serve. Back when they had the draft in the year 1971 I was drafted, when the first ball was drawn it said March 6th, my birthday. I planned on inlisting in the Air Force to beat the draft, but Nixon called it off, and so I stayued a civilian.
Luke 3:14 says this: "..the soldiers asked him [John the baptist], saying, "And what shall we do?" So he said to them, "Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages."
Just something to think about, perhaps.
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