BIBLICAL AND RATIONAL PONDERINGS ABOUT CLINTON
There are many things to ponder regarding President Clinton's admitting that he had an inappropriate relationship with Monica Lewinsky. I will address several ponderings from a rational and Biblical perspective.
BILL CLINTON'S "PRIVATE" AFFAIRS STILL AFFECT OTHERS -- THEY ARE NOT INDEPENDENT
What Bill Clinton does impacts others. He is President and has a relationship to the American people. He has friends, is married, and has a daughter. All of these people are affected. Nothing is independent. I research genealogy. There were things some of my ancestors did that seemed very small at the time, but they had a lasting impact for generations. When my great-grandmother's husband died leaving her a young single mother with many children, she could have given up, but she did not. Her efforts contributed to my existing now. One of my ancestors moved a mere 45 miles, and as a result, one of his descendants met and married a woman and lived in the town where I was to be born. If that ancestor had not moved, I may not have been, and the two people who are my grandmother and my late grandfather may not have been my grandparents or one would have been, but if only one would have, then I would not be who I am. The offspring would not be a descendant of Mr. A and Ms. B, but rather Mr. C and Ms. B. Behavior impacts others. So what's the point? Nothing is fully independent. Sure I hear "Separation of Church and State," but one's beliefs and values influence what he or she does. What someone believes influences how he or she behaves. When someone calls himself or herself a Christian, his or her behavior affects the Christian body worldwide. He or she can mar credibility or emphasize hypocrisy, or such a person can set an example. Sure, there is separation of church and state, but there is not a separation of beliefs and actions unless someone is psychotic or out of touch with reality. Even then, what the person believes in the moment shapes his or her actions. Your beliefs shape your behavior as far as for whom you vote. In view of what I have discussed regarding beliefs, then, the incidents of the past 7 months shape how Clinton governs. At the very least, there is a breach of trust. Even if some trust Clinton, many do not, especially after the recent events. That is going to affect how he governs. His governing is not independent of his beliefs (even PRIVATE ones) nor is it independent of the American people. Sure, there is a right to privacy, but what one does is not independent of all other things. Bill Clinton's relationship with Monica Lewinsky is connected to his governing this nation. The apathy of this nation in the name of "privacy" or "Who cares?" is tragic. For those who post, "Who cares?" messages, obviously someone cares or there would not be a discussion. Obviously they are affected by what has happened or by reactions to what has happened else they would not post. Again, this is an example of how Bill Clinton's action has affected everyone in some way. It affects you for you are reading this post.
NOT A CONSPIRACY
I have heard people talk about this being a "Right Wing Conspiracy." I cannot speak for the Right Wing as a whole, but I will say this: If civilization was to the point that we lived in caves and painted on walls and there was basically anarchy, adultery would still be a sin. I would still have problems with adultery. Some may be politically motivated, but I think many say others are politically motivated as a ploy in many discussions (not just this one). If I disagree with someone's lifestyle, that does not make it political. If there was anarchy, there would still be right and wrong. Call me a "thumper" if you will, but I believe the Bible is the Word of God and even in a secular society with separtion of church and state, the Bible still influences what I believe and how I behave as a result of those beliefs. If I was in the jungle wild without a government and someone killed someone else, then I would still see that action as wrong and disagree with it and there would be NO POLITICAL MOTIVATION.
When Bill admitted his wrong, it was not time for him to attack the investigation or defend himself. It was time to say that he was wrong, he was sorry, that he accepts the consequences, and that it is his responsibility, and that he seeks forgiveness, and no more. I hope some of what Bill Clinton said was from his heart, but I am afraid that the attacking of the investigation made it look awfully political. Certainly there are many players in this situation, but Bill Clinton is responsible for his actions, and he is a key player in what has unfolded. Some would turn Starr into the "bad guy" and blame him. If Clinton had not had the relationship with Lewinsky, he would not need to have lied and he would not have had to go on television to address the nation, and all the people involved and affected would not have been involved or affected.
FALLING SHORT AND WITHOUT EXCUSE
I fall short daily of the Bible's instruction and the Holy Spirit's guidance, but that does not mean that I condone the falling short. I strive in repentance. I am imperfect and I still sin. I don't like my sin and I prefer not to sin, but it is part of my human nature. Yes, Bill Clinton is human, but that does not make what he does acceptable. I hope and pray that his saying, "I was wrong" was more than political. I hope that it will lead to his repentance. Just because others do wrong, does not make excuses for wrong even if they were Presidents. Not all men behave this way and not all men cheat. Remember the lemmings or what your mother told you? If Billy commits adultery with Monica, then I should as well or I should say it is OK? NO! You can make choices and think for yourselves. Just because others do it does not mean it is acceptable.
CASTING STONES -- GO AND SIN NO MORE
I have seen that many say, "He who is without sin cast the first stone." Jesus said this, and I obviously agree with all that Jesus says -- all that the Bible says -- but MOST people seem to take the casting stones verse OUT OF CONTEXT and use it as an EXCUSE FOR SIN. Jesus also said right after that to GO AND SIN NO MORE. I would say that we should not stone Clinton, but that he should sin no more. He needs to repent. For someone who calls himself a Christian, the Bible outlines that Christians are to rebuke fellow Christians in sin. This is not the same as judging someone to go to Heaven or hell. No one, except God, can do that. Yet, there is room for rebuke and guidance in the Body of Christ -- those who believe. I will include those who call themselves believers but may not be true believers as ones who are to be rebuked since they do things in Christ's name even if they are not truly Christians.
CONSEQUENCES
There are consequences for sin. This was mentioned where one wrote in quoting scripture that one reaps what he or she sows. Sin is sin. All sin and fall short of the glory of God. But this does not excuse sin. God does not ignore sin; He forgives sin. If Clinton repentantly seeks God, then God will forgive him; however, saying that others sin IS NOT a valid excuse for anyone else to sin. If someone shoots someone else, then the criminal must face the consequences. If one steals, he faces consequences. Whether one lies, steals, murders, or commits adultery, it is a sin -- not one greater than the others. The consequences are what differ for the sins -- whether it be a guilty conscience, humiliation, prison, or death, or a lack of joy, or a hindered walk with God. There are consequences. Clinton will need to face the consequences of his actions and repent of the sin.
FINAL WORDS
I do not excuse Clinton, I did not vote for Clinton, and I do not feel that he has been a good President, but I do pray for Bill Clinton and I ask readers to pray for Clinton for the Bible instructs that as well. I hope that what I have written will challenge the reader and that people can Biblically and rationally take a look at what has occurred. The fact that we have opinions, that there are discussions, articles, and reports shows that we are affected. Since we are the American people, Clinton's governing is affected. Since Clinton is not isolated and interacts with co-workers, family, and friends, his behavior -- PRIVATE OR NOT -- has affected his governing. Even if he would have never been caught, there would be affect. The man would have to walk around holding the lie. His family, friends, and the American people would have to go about blindly. Forgive his trespass upon us, but do not be apathetic and say that it does not matter or that there are no consequences. Clinton's actions are not independent, this is not a "conspiracy," he should go and sin no more, moral apathy in this nation must go, there are consequences, he is without excuse, and we need to pray for him. These same words apply to me.
Godspeed,
James
BeaknDeakn@aol.com
2 Chronicles 7:14
18 August 1998
P.S. Feel free to e-mail me whether it be to correspond or if you would like Biblical references. I do not have much time to post, etc., but I check e-mail regularly.