Strict measures

Whenever a politician gets caught having an affair, the media goes into the feeding frenzy mode. The latest flap over Gary Condit having an affair with Chandra Levy is no different. Invariably one side insists that he should resign, and the other feels sorry for him because “after all, they are ‘all doing it”, it is his private life, and his indiscretion has no bearing in regards to his performance as a congressman. Howls of protest go up as the media coverage intensifies just as it did when Clinton got caught. Before we get all worked up about feeling sorry for this poor slob losing his career and all, we need to consider something. There is an old saying among criminals that goes like this: “If you can’t do the time, don’t commit the crime”. The Bible teaches that all sin has its consequence. If this congressman’s career is lost and his family dumps him and he has to live in disgrace, it is not the result of the media coverage, it is the end-product of sin. We all sin and when we do, it bears a consequence. This congressman is the son of a preacher and I believe was aware of this concept. He put caution to the wind, yielded to temptation, got caught and now he has to suffer the consequences. He now has to “do the time for his crime”.

In light of this, and lest we jump on the bandwagon in being judge, jury, and hangman, we should remember that God reserved vengeance for Himself. He punishes sin. This is good for it is impossible for us to know someone else’s heart. Only He can convict and punish someone’s sins. We are not Gary Condit’s judge.

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Matt. 7:1
Judge not that you be not
judged.
For with what judgment you
judge, you will be judged; and with
the measure you use, it will be
measured back to you.

Matt.6:14
For if you forgive men their
trespasses, your heavenly Father
will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men
their trespasses, neither will your
Father forgive your trespasses.

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