Rep. James Lankford (OK) and Rep. Tim Scott (SC) are Christians who unashamedly discuss their faith — in the home, on the job and against political odds. Both are in their 40s. Both were raised in less than perfect homes but with God’s Word. The book of Nehemiah convinced Rep. Lankford to take the path to Capitol Hill. Biblical mentors encouraged Rep. Scott to work his way toward Congress.
Both Reps. Lankford and Scott are fully aware of the ideological and spiritual battles in Washington, D.C. Rep. Scott is pro-life, a faithful pray-er, and a defender of Biblical values. He has sponsored legislation that prevents unions from demanding mandatory dues; thus halting the devastating effects that unions have imposed on the federal budget and socially conservative values. Unions spend hundreds of millions to undermine marriage, the sanctity of human life, parent’s rights, and other values that are cherished by the very members who pay the dues, but have no say on how the money is spent.
Rep. Lankford says he is grounded by the wisdom of Proverbs. “How do we handle debt as a nation?” he asks. “A wise man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children. We [are spending] the inheritance of our children’s children. So, how do we correct that? How are we able to honor the poor . . . promote justice . . . [practice] what is right and just?”
He continues, “I don’t know of another generation of leaders that has said, ‘Times are tough. I’m going to make it tougher on my kids to make it easier for me.’ As weird as it may sound . . . debt is the moral issue of the day.”
“At the heart of many of the problems facing our country stands an institution under siege,” Lankford proclaims. “That institution is the American family. The best way to ensure a strong nation is to have strong families.” The U.S. Department of Justice announced on February 24 that it would no longer defend the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act. Lankford took to the House floor to call out the hypocrisy. “Many in this chamber are aware of my . . . Biblical worldview. I am unashamed of my personal faith in Jesus Christ . . . I believe words have meaning . . . the meaning of marriage is the union between a man and a woman. The Defense of Marriage Act codified that definition into law . . . this issue is well beyond faith . . . or social or political issue. Marriage is now not only the center of a national social debate, but also a constitutional debate.”
Scriptural warnings, said Lankford, are clear for politicians and for the church. “We have a first responsibility to take care of those in poverty. To take care of our own families. To take care of the needs around us. The more that the church backs up from that, the more the government engages in it . . . [T]he more the nation and the family break down, the more social services are needed. But, the more strong families you have, the less government you have . . . so we have this endless cycle that we have got to pull out of. The only way to pull out is [to have] churches engaging in [preserving the] family.”
Are we raising sons and daughters with a Biblical worldview so that they can be morally upright citizens? Marry and start a family? Use their skills through honest labor? Become involved parents? Not be burdened by our failure to invest in the future?
Lankford says it’s not about what you do, but whom you follow, that should define you: “My calling is first and foremost not to an occupation. It is to follow a person. My calling is to follow Christ.”
Rep. Scott agrees. He tries to surround himself with believers that “keep me accountable.” There is “peace and direction for me in my leadership role,” he says, quoting Psalm 23 and Luke 6:38.
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not be in want . . . He restores my soul . . . I will fear no evil . . .
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Excerpts from CITIZEN, August/September 2011
Ezerwoman's Blog 
It’s Us!
Posted in Citizenship, Commentaries of others, Culture Shifts, Faith & Practice, tagged cheap grace, Chuck Colson, holy, hope, humility, idols, sin, the church, the world, wicked on November 20, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Each Wednesday, Colson features a “Two Minute Warning.” This past week, he noted how many times Christians quote 2 Chronicles 7:14 which reads:
To whom is God speaking? He is speaking not to our country, the United States, but to the church… to God’s people, those called by His name. It’s us — members of God’s family, the church — who are being called to “turn from their wicked ways.” When we dumb down Christ, offer “cheap grace,” cling to parts of God’s Word but not all, practice silence for the sake of being “tolerant,” and adapt worldly ways we are failing to be “salt and light.”
Colson is right. We can’t blame the “liberals,” homosexual activists, or evolutionists for changing America. They’re saying and doing what we would expect them to. It’s us — the Christians — who need to make a u-turn and go back to God. If the church would repent of her ways and act more like Jesus calls the church to act, then we, too, would affect the culture.
Colson directs us to God’s Word to His people, the house of Israel, in Ezekiel 36:22-32. The people had “profaned” His holy name among the nations. They were unclean and fallen to idols. “Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel.” As you read, you will discover that God’s call to repentance comes with promise and blessings.
We don’t change the world. The world is the world. But, whenever God’s Word in its truth and purity is spoken and acted upon by God’s people, society is transformed. It’s been done in the past. It can be done in the present.
Colson provides many practical and faithful-to-Scripture resources for Christians in a challenging world. I recommend you check them out by visiting Breakpoint.
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