#Judging #Justice #Righteousness
My friends, please note that the Scripture says “who do righteousness at all times.” Deliberately choosing to be an unrighteous person when it fits our agenda is nowhere near the mark of a Christian. It is even further from the mark when the Christian is a leader. As human beings, we will encounter leaders who hurt us. However, it is crucial that we understand this one thing: “just because the one who hurts you is a leader does not mean that leader is absolved of the consequences of their behavior.” Some sins (abuse of all forms, moral failure, murder, and so on) require the immediate removal of the leader from the position of authority. Why do I say that? King David sinned by taking advantage of Bathsheba and also for the murder of her husband (2 Sam. 11). David did repent of his sin, but the death of his child still was the consequence of his failure to lead a morally righteous life (2 Sam. 12:18-19). Not only was the death of the child a consequence of David’s sin, but he also lost his kingship for a season. The thing that he did in secret was done to him publicly ”
After David committed the treachery with Uriah and Bathsheba, God spoke to David through Nathan thus:
Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. 9 Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’…11 “This is what the LORD says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.'” (2 Sam 12.7)Now, the fulfillment of this judgment on David is in chapter 16:
“Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give us your counsel; what shall we do?” 21 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines, the ones he has left to look after the house; and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom upon the roof; and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.’ [NRSV]
Sin has consequences, even for leaders. Our role? Do not make excuses for their failures. Hold them accountable for what comes out of their mouths, and what they do with their time. When they sin chastise them, do not condone the sin. We must learn to judge righteously if we are children of God.
Prayer:
Lord, open our eyes to our own faults. When we see persons in leadership who are habitually sinning give up the gumption not to condone their sins and or make excuses for why it is acceptable, for a season, because of their position. Show us how to judge in the same way that you judged David. Your thoughts and ways are to become our thoughts and way Lord. Give us a humble enough hearts to be bold in our belief and in our stance for integrity in leadership.
You Are Not the Only One 