“Are we not always selecting the lesser of 2 evils since there is none righteous and everyone sins?” (Romans 3:10, 23)
Before we can get to the biblical standard of life for the civic official it’s important to tackle the question of exactly how much unrighteousness might disqualify a civic leader from serving. How much sin is too much sin? And since we are all “sinners”, is the standard even valid?
This is a actually an important question because it is the door to situationism. Let me begin by saying that I am perfectly prepared to accept the notion that no one is errorless in their journey, nor is anyone impervious to the possibilities of sin except by the empowering grace of God Who is able to cause us to prevail over all sin. (I Corinthians 10:13, II Corinthians 2:14; Romans 6:12-14, 8:12-13; I John 3:6-7)
So, while our nature is certainly tainted by inherited depravity, let’s be clear that sin doesn’t have to win. There is provision through the Cross and the indwelling Holy Spirit to provide a victorious walk. This is why leadership standards exist in the Scripture. Whether it be an elder, deacon, or civic leader (minister), there are expectations laid out by God for such leadership. Leaders demonstrate their competency by governing themselves (self-control), their households (family management), their local church (elder or deacon) and possibly a civic jurisdiction. Success at one level provides an open door to another level. The fruit of competent governance of one’s life and family and possibly church provides the electorate with a confidence that this potential civic leader is a solid individual.
If unrighteousness was the expected norm, it would be a cruel burden to dispense expectations that were impossible to keep. But such is not the case.
And while it may be true technically that a citizenry is not selecting a pastor as a civic official, that reality does not exempt the civic official from standards which God’s Word clearly outlines. If civic officials we’re exempt from E18, then the same question above could be used at any congregational meeting which is selecting a new pastor by simply saying, “Why do we care about I Timothy 3 or Titus 1, since we all sin, should we really hold our new pastor to this standard?”
“Maybe those elder qualifications are really ‘suggestions’”…
Sadly, some may not see the irony…
But the question of the lesser of two evils is actually a moot point and a deflection of sorts in the selection of leadership. Just because a person CAN sin doesn’t mean they HAVE TO sin. (And yes, I understand the difference between sins of commission and omission. Don’t play that semantic game.)
So as we explore the standards of Exodus 18:21 in the following posts, you will quickly see that the expectations are not only legitimate and wise (amazing how smart God is), but actually an easily attainable standard of living.
More parts to come…
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