Godly leaders
(Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott, leaders of our two leading parties)
On the 21st August Australian’s vote for their next Federal Government (just as the British did a few months ago) and I started to wonder:
What makes a Godly leader?
Have I ever seen one?
Does it mean that the leader goes to church on Sundays with his or her family and confessors to be a Christian? We have had leaders who go to church regularly but do not necessarily behave as Christians when formulating policies. Going into a Federal Election, how does a person decide on which leader to support — based on what? An ideal leader would be one that “walks the talk”, lives their daily life by the scriptures, raises their family in the way God intended and will choose to guide the nation by Biblical principles. Have I seen such a leader, no I haven’t . . . so how do you decide when we don’t have any Godly leaders as far as I can see? What would their stances be on the issues such as: gay rights, abortion, teaching the bible in schools, encouraging mothers to stay at home with their children etc — I am not sure, as when our current leaders talk about these issues they never give a Christian viewpoint.
To be honest, if a politician started to express their views from a Christian standpoint (e.g. not supporting gay marriages or abortion based on the Word of God) I have a very sad feeling that they would be ridiculed by both the media and public alike. They would be considered “out of touch” or "right wing" and be told they do not understanding the diversity of the Australian population - being seen as intolerant of others views. As a result our politicians sit on the fence so not to "upset" anyone - sweeping away the Christian viewpoint and its principles in the name of equal rights, political correctness, tolerance, and a strict separation of church and state.
I am sure it was any different for William Wilberforce, who spent decades fighting the British slave trade. His persistence paid off. Not only was the slave trade abolished, a great awakening swept across England.
To be honest, if a politician started to express their views from a Christian standpoint (e.g. not supporting gay marriages or abortion based on the Word of God) I have a very sad feeling that they would be ridiculed by both the media and public alike. They would be considered “out of touch” or "right wing" and be told they do not understanding the diversity of the Australian population - being seen as intolerant of others views. As a result our politicians sit on the fence so not to "upset" anyone - sweeping away the Christian viewpoint and its principles in the name of equal rights, political correctness, tolerance, and a strict separation of church and state.
I am sure it was any different for William Wilberforce, who spent decades fighting the British slave trade. His persistence paid off. Not only was the slave trade abolished, a great awakening swept across England.
Godly leadership always begins with God and it wasn't that many decades ago when most Australians disapproved of homosexuality, adultery, and divorce; they believed sexual promiscuity was wrong; they regarded obscene language as inappropriate; they saw abortion as unthinkable; and believed that their public officials were making decisions based on high moral and ethical grounds. How things have changed.
Personally I believe that most Australians do not want a Christian leader and this can be seen in the decline of people attending church in this country, breakdown of the family, decline in marriages and so forth.
What do you think?
All we can do is pray for our leaders as the Bible instructs - "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved , and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:1-4
And trust in the Lord no matter who is in power and live our own lives in a Godly fashion - "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil". Proverbs 3:5-7
Jo,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree.
Nick
Good post Jo!
ReplyDeleteI am always reminded to pray for our leaders whoever they are because the Bible just says to pray for them!
Fortunately even if they don't mention God there have been / are some leaders who stick up for godly values and yes they get ridiculed and mocked and I take my hat off to them for their courage in standing up for their convictions.
Am I right in believing Abbott is against abortion? That makes him more favourable as the next leader, in my eyes...
ReplyDeleteAmanda - to be honest I do not know party views on abortion as it hasn't been spoken about. Whether either party agree or disagree with abortion it is happening in the hospitals as it is legal and under Abbott that is not going to change. So his personal views make no any differences to reality. It is also claimable under medicare in Public Hospitals. The only things that might be affected is around the edges eg late terminations but that is about it. It is highly unlikely to see an end to abortion under either party.
ReplyDeletethanks Jo... it is supposed to be illegal in most states, but yet, tragically, it goes on.
ReplyDeleteI have never voted, and I believe I never will. In my personal opinion, I couldn't. If I did, as a Christian I would be voting for something ungodly no matter which party I chose, and that would go against my conscience. I believe the only thing the Bible asks of us is what you wrote - that we pray for those who are in authority - and that God would allow whomever He wishes to be that authority, and that the 'salt of the earth' (Christians indwelt by the Holy Spirit) would maintain a Godly stance both in their homes and the community. Things will never get completely out of control - socially or politically because the salt remains on the earth, preserving it, and God is in control. I believe the Bible clearly says that those who are in power are there by God's design - even if I DID vote, God would still place whom HE chose - "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation" (Romans 13:1-2). I think that's pretty straight-forward! We have nothing to fear - "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).
ReplyDeleteThe last passage in your post is one of my favourites, Jo - and it applies no matter the situation! :)
I had to go away and come back to this. This issue is SO huge. These people who run our governments have direct impacts on and control over our lives. Yes, yes, yes, it is SO important what a politician believes about major issues. But the scary thing is, like you say, the bulk of them sit on the fence, and they are more concerned with winning votes than doing what is right. Why is it that, for the most part, politics and government in general attract the wrong kind of people? I suppose it is because of the power that goes with it. Most people who are moral and ethical are not after power. Power and control are antithetical to morality and godliness. Sigh... What to do, indeed? America is certainly feeling the pain of voting in an unethical, egomaniacal, power-mad man with virtually no morals as President. I feel for you going through an election. It was a farce and a sham in the UK during this last one, I think.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly do throw the biggies out there! Great post!
I had to go away and come back to this. This issue is SO huge. These people who run our governments have direct impacts on and control over our lives. Yes, yes, yes, it is SO important what a politician believes about major issues. But the scary thing is, like you say, the bulk of them sit on the fence, and they are more concerned with winning votes than doing what is right. Why is it that, for the most part, politics and government in general attract the wrong kind of people? I suppose it is because of the power that goes with it. Most people who are moral and ethical are not after power. Power and control are antithetical to morality and godliness. Sigh... What to do, indeed? America is certainly feeling the pain of voting in an unethical, egomaniacal, power-mad man with virtually no morals as President. I feel for you going through an election. It was a farce and a sham in the UK during this last one, I think.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly do throw the biggies out there! Great post!
Hi Jo--thanks for stopping by my blog. Your posts are amazing! I really enjoyed this on on godly leaders. Thank you for sharing. Praying and trusting God are the key factors of our lives on every level. Blessings--Bonnie
ReplyDelete