I rarely watch C-Span, but last night I took the time to watch our government at work without the commentary chatter that is on the normal cable news networks. I decided to watch some of the process "unfiltered"; after all, maybe I was only getting part of the story by listening to my favorite news commentators. I listened to the so-called "debate", which was little more than mini speeches concerning an already decided voice on the subject. I did have to chuckle as I watched the "distinguished gentleman from such and such a state yield 45 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from another state". What can you really say in 45 seconds that is little more than a sound bite for You Tube or the nightly news?

For those of you who know me, you already know that I tend to be conservative in both my theology and my politics. I am conservative politically because I feel "generally" that Biblical precept is best represented in much of what we label conservative. I know that my liberal friends tend to think that Jesus was equally committed to the poor and the outcast and that is best represented in a "progressive" political view. The problem is that Jesus never commissioned the government to do the work of His Kingdom. Most of all, He never advocated that our compassion and benevolence be forced upon us by the government. Do I think people who are poor deserve to be compassionately cared for, fed, helped, and generally be given a "hand-up" out of their difficulties? The answer is "yes". However, Jesus was never an enabler and He never advocated an unaccountable compassion which underwrites people who cheat, steal, refuse to work, and generally are lazy and undisciplined. Paul would later write the very words, "Let him who refuses to work, not eat"! In our current culture I suppose Paul would be deemed uncompassionate.

The underlying problem we are facing as a nation is that we have discovered we can vote ourselves money and benefits out of the treasury. We have decided that everything we "want" has now become everything we "need". Get ready for government dispensed cars, cell phones, TV's (HDTV, of course), cable, computers, Internet service and the like. Can I not make a case that I NEED electricity and the big bad power companies are overcharging; therefore, the government needs to take it over? Why is it that we never think to turn our thermostats down? Instead, we want everything to be "fair" and if someone has more then they need then they need to be forced to cut back or I need to be underwritten to catch up. AARGH!!!

To make matters worse, I listened to the speeches by both parties and heard more Scripture quoted than at a revival meeting to prove their points. Isn't it good to know that Washington, DC, has so many spiritual people reading their Bibles and doing their devotions. I know I feel better (heavy sarcasm!). What must God think as He sees His Word being manipulated by people who read it only to justify their self-will. If God ever groans, then I can assure you He is at the moment.

Our Declaration of Independence is really the document that defines the nature of our Republic. It declares that we have the RIGHT to: LIFE, LIBERTY, and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS (not the guarantee of finding it). People make choices and unfortunately through this new law, we will be underwriting people's poor choices. Sure, do some people need and deserve compassion? Absolutely! But do you think it wise (much less Christian) to underwrite everyone with insurance who abuses their body through the practice of various and sundry sins and evils? Am I really required to help someone who chooses to abuse their liver, lungs, and heart with known behaviors that destroy these organs early by giving them a transplant, when my own household is being responsible? There is good news and bad news with freedom; you are free to make poor choices about your life, but I shouldn't be enslaved to underwrite the repercussions of it. We are circumventing God's law of sowing and reaping. We can only do this to our own detriment.

This is another example of the government desiring to replace God and the place of His Church in the earth. God's people were called to be compassionate, but that compassion comes with accountability. People are turning to government because they know that they can live like they want and everyone else gets to pay for the problems they have created.

Let there be no mistake, I get frustrated with medical costs, insurance games, and the practice of health care in America as much as the next guy. However, my discernment is telling me that this is only the beginning of attempting to force us all to underwrite things we know to be a violation of our conscience. There is coming a day when good, Christian citizens are going to have to seriously consider at what point they must "obey God rather than man" (Acts 5:29). The effects of last night have done nothing but divide us more and put us on a collision course with an even greater contest in the future. They may be popping the champagne corks in Washington over this legislative victory, but I fear they have "popped another cork" called "Pandora's Box". These are most unusual days we are living in. I have to believe that revival is right around the corner.

Planting a Cross

Pastor