How Important Is It to Have Righteous Government Leaders?
When it comes to choosing our leaders, how significant is their character and righteousness? Proverbs 25:4-5 tells us, “Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel; remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.” Should we overlook integrity in favor of other qualities, or is it crucial that our leaders reflect righteous values, even if they aren’t “hired to be a pastor”? What are your thoughts? Is there ever a justification for supporting a leader who does not live up to these standards?
If you caught some of Trump’s recent rally footage, you would have seen him pause to state-- “God spared me… twice.”
With respect to the quote from Proverbs, it’s important to understand that WE are the vessels the sage is talking about. Ever since the July 13 assassination attempt on Trump, we’ve seen flashes of humble acknowledgment, where Trump gives the credit to God and thanks Him for doing so. It’s an honest observation when folks point out that Trump is ‘rough around the edges’ and that because of this he rubs them wrong, but think in terms of God’s perspective. The Father takes imperfect vessels and uses them for His own purposes, in His own time. It has always been His way.
I love that thought— God draws straight lines with crooked sticks.
And it’s amazing to watch Him remove a little dross from Donald Trump as He refines and prepares an imperfect vessel for service.
With politicians, choices may be few in regard to righteousness. Ethics, however are paramount. Our choices many times involve voting for the least unethical candidate.
Trump is a candidate I can not support an
Unrepentant whoremonger and adulterer
Convicted felon with no regrets or ability to take accountability for his crimes
Vengeful and thoughts of dictatorship who
Has destroyed the Republican Party
And an issue I have with both parties: moderates have been ousted. In fact, normal conservatives are being driven out.
While driving through the South, I saw billboards depicting Trump as Jesus. So many Christian I know seem obsessed with him and declare him to be a spiritual leader. That frame of mind I’d dangerous, and he does nothing to deny it.
I have been around since the end of the Eisenhower administration and have never seen obsession with a candidate like this- and that includes JFK.
I think, as evidenced by God’s expectations for Moses, for example, leaders are held to a higher standard than most of us. All Moses did was strike the rock twice and yet he was prevented from ever entering the promise land. Similarly, our political leaders are held to a higher standard. They should steward us toward better versions of ourselves: call us into unity, encourage peace and respectful treatment of others, protect and preserve our natural resources from Creation, and never betray the laws that they seek to enforce through the system of justice upheld by the land. When leaders hold attractive political positions, it can be hard to not be swayed. But I think that is the nature of temptation. As Christians, we should support candidates that treat the stranger, the outcast, the marginalized better than the richest, the most beautiful, the most praised.
