McCain Promotes Independent Image

In a new commercial, Senator John McCain, is seeking to distance himself from the current Commander-in-Chief. The ad is in response to accusations on the other side of the aisle that a McCain White House would be a simple and precise rerun of the past 8 years. This has caused the Senator to further push his ‘maverick’ image to convince voters that he is an independent thinker and best equipped to effect the real change needed to fix a broken congress and a struggling economy.

Without question, politics is one tricky business. Those seeking office must somehow relate their adherence to their party’s base and platform. But they must equally appear to have the unique ability to follow their own heart and ‘do their own thing’ when circumstances dictate it and their conscience demands it.

In the spiritual realm there is a parallel and contrast to modern political campaign strategies. There are some that come to Christ in faith by agreeing fully with the basic tenets of salvation. They admit their own sin and guilt. They know Christ is God in the flesh. They believe in their hearts that He died in their place and rose again from the grave. And they fully trust in His ability to keep them secure and prepare for them a heavenly home. (Acts 2:21, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Peter 1:3-5)

But oddly, many of these same believers stubbornly retain a rigid independence in their daily lifestyles despite God’s many commands and warnings to the contrary. In summary, they also ‘do their own thing’ throughout their earthly journey. They give little, or no, time to the God who created them, loved them, died in their place, and who covets a true commitment and a deep personal relationship with them. Luke reveals in his letter that a choice between the two is mandatory and that there is no neutral or middle ground in spiritual matters. He states, "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (Luke 16:13)

Then in Colossians 3:12-17 Paul lists several aspects of how those rightly related to God in Christ should live. Beginning in verse 12 of the chapter he writes, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Obviously this is all far beyond the reach of any Christian who willingly lives independently of God’s influence and control.

As politicians continue to straddle the party line fence while attempting to appear independent thinkers, Christians that truly understand and care about God’s will realize the futility of this difficult type of blend. Instead they know that the right and best way to direct one’s daily affairs, even if that should include the governing of a mighty nation, is a full dependence on God and the application of the principles outlined in Proverbs chapter 3 and highlighted by verses 5-6.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

Bill Breckenridge