It would appear that in many ways those who view themselves as fighting the battle for morality in America are losing ground. Although with the passage of Proposition 8 in California and similar measures in Florida and Arizona, homosexual marriage is banned for the present, the general trend in America, at least in matters of sexual morality, is towards greater and greater licentiousness. With the election of Barack Obama, and his stated intention to push forward the Freedom of Choice Act, the pro-life movement has undoubtedly been dealt a major blow for years to come. Whether or not there was ever any substance to the implied claim behind the name, the existence of a bona fide “moral majority” in America seems to be on the fast track to becoming a relic of the past. In a democratic system, the opinions of the majority rule. And as much as we might hate to admit it, the results of the recent election make it clear that the majority in America are not prepared to give those with a consistently biblical worldview a mandate to carry out their convictions through the legal system and governing institutions of our nation.
In other areas, there are encouraging signs of moral and ethical advance. Although we are still clearly light-years away from totally obliterating the blight of racism from among us, the general tendency does seem to be toward equalization and reconciliation. I have personally been deeply impacted on the several occasions I have visited the National Civil Rights Museum on the premises of the old Lorraine Motel in downtown Memphis, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was brutally assassinated in 1968. The walk down the symbolic corridor of the history of civil rights is a living memorial to the fact that when people stand up for what is right and refuse to cave in to the pressures around them it is indeed possible to effect change for the better. I believe that in many ways the election of Barack Obama is, as it were, the crowning jewel on the long trail of struggles and accomplishments towards the goal of racial equality and justice.
As Christians, however, we are called to be more than moral and ethical crusaders. As the Body of Christ, we are called to take upon ourselves the father heart of God for a corrupt, dying, and desperate world that has lost its way on the path of truth and justice. It is also true that we are called to take a prophetic stance toward the evil and unrighteousness we see around us, and that at times this may involve a righteous indignation similar to that shown by Jesus when He overturned the tables of the money-changers in the temple courts. But I believe there is one element that determines whether our words and actions in support of morality and ethical justice truly reflect the heart of God or not. And that element is a broken heart.
In some ways, a moral and political agenda driven by a broken heart can be hard to distinguish from one that is not. On many occasions, the actual votes that are tallied may end up being the same on both accounts. But, deep down, at a root level, they are worlds apart. To illustrate, I believe we could well add another verse to the beginning of 1 Corinthians 13: If I have a 100% “moral report card” rating, and give all my time, all my efforts, and all my money to support all the right causes, but have not love—if I am not motivated at the core of my being by a humble, contrite spirit, and a broken heart before the Lord—I am nothing, and I gain nothing.
In the world of politics, the key is expediency. In order to move your agenda forward, you must know how to form coalitions. You must be loyal to the party platform. You must know how to use the media and the power of persuasion. If given the chance, you must know how to “stick it” to your opponent. For us, as citizens of the Kingdom of God, I see a special danger in taking our cues from those in the public media who may share a commitment to certain planks of our moral agenda but who do not share our commitment to the lordship of Christ, and who are not motivated at the core of their being by a broken heart.
In practical terms, how does this play out? I believe that the following questions may help us to sort a good bit of this out:
On the issue of abortion, what is it that truly drives us? Do we really and truly grieve the tragic loss of millions of innocent lives? Do we feel the pain of mothers and fathers who are deceived by the enemy into sacrificing the precious life of their unborn children? Are we sympathetic to the social and economic plight of many, which in one way or another plays into their deception?
On the issue of gay rights, do we really and truly “hate the sin and love the sinner”? Do we feel compassion for those who sense they did not choose to be the way they are (whether we agree with this assessment or not)? Are we really and truly broken-hearted for the children that might possibly suffer the negative consequences of being raised in a home without a healthy mother-and-father parenting team?
On the issue of racism and civil rights, are we truly moved by a desire for friendship, understanding, repentance, and reconciliation with those who are different than us? Do we feel the pain of those who have been systematically discriminated against and whose lot in life has been pre-determined to one degree or another by the color of their skin, their national or ethnic background, gender, or religious beliefs?
On the issue of war, do we truly mourn the casualties—not only the deaths, but also the physical, psychological, social, and economic trauma—suffered on both sides of the conflict? Independently of what we feel are the best means to accomplish it, are we motivated more by a desire for freedom, justice, and protection of oppressed people around the world from the cruel hands of tyranny and terrorism than by a desire for vengeance and defense of our national pride?
On the issue of the economy and social welfare, do we really and truly desire a society in which the weak and helpless are taken care of with dignity and compassion? Independently of what we feel may be the best path to get there, do we honestly long for an economy that is able to provide a worthy job, a decent education, adequate housing, and basic health care for everyone? Do we want to see a system in place in which everyone who is physically and mentally able is encouraged to work productively with the hands and minds God has given them in order that they might have a healthy sense of well-being and accomplishment?
On the issue of the environment, does it sadden us to see God’s creation selfishly exploited for the unfettered advance of commercial interests? Do we really and truly take to heart the stewardship God has given us to care for the world around us as well as we possibly can?
On the issue of immigration, independently of what we think may be the best solution, do we feel compassion for the plight of those born and raised in contexts that do not allow them the same privileges and opportunities we enjoy as native-born Americans? Do we feel genuine sympathy for those who are doing the best they can to scrape together enough to provide for the basic needs of their family? Are we truly generous and big-hearted with the blessings God has showered upon us as a nation?
On the issue of crime, are we motivated by a sense of grief for the pain inflicted upon the victims, and the losses they suffer? Provided the rights and well-being of the victims are taken care of, do we also have a heart that desires the repentance, forgiveness, restitution and rehabilitation of those who have given in to the temptation of the devil and ended up committing criminal acts against their fellow man?
In the end, we may never know for sure the political consequences of our actions and approach. It may well be that God Himself is working against our efforts for moral reform in the political arena with a view towards bringing His judgment upon America. However, none of that takes away from our responsibility to do what is right, and even more importantly, to do what we do with an attitude of humility and brokenness before God. It may well mean losing many more elections. For the captives of Judah in Babylon, God had determined a period of 70 years. Personally, I do not believe we have biblical warrant to expect true and lasting peace, justice, and morality on the earth until Jesus Himself comes back to establish His kingdom. But in the meantime, we do have a biblical command to be salt and light in the midst of this morally insipid and dark world in which we live.
It may just be that some of those who are put off by the smug, sarcastic, and arrogant attitude of some of the moralists around us will eventually be won over by a kinder and gentler approach, and a heart that really cares. I certainly hope so. But, then again, we can never be sure of that. After all, the same world that opposes us and our efforts for good ended up crucifying the One who embodied more than anyone who has ever lived a genuinely broken heart for the griefs and woes of fallen humanity.
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