Last week’s dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential
Library in Dallas, Texas was a stirring and perhaps once-in-a-lifetime event.
Bush and the current U.S. president, three former presidents along with their
wives were all together on one stage.
Politics was set aside as each man spoke about the 43
rd President of
the United States. A theme for the occasion seemed to be Bush’s character and
convictions.
President Barack Obama summed it up when he stated, “…what President Clinton
said is absolutely true. To know the man is to like the man, because he’s
comfortable in his own skin. He knows who he is. He doesn’t put on any
pretenses. He takes his job seriously but he doesn’t take himself too
seriously. He is a good man.”
When George W. Bush spoke, he continued the theme. “But in the end, leaders are
defined by the convictions they hold. … As President, I tried to act on these
principles everyday. It wasn’t always easy and it certainly wasn’t always
popular.”
In an interview with Bush, his former press secretary Dana Perino also touched
on character and principles. “You said something [on your last day in office] I
thought maybe I could repeat. Coming into the office on the first day wanting
to make sure that when you left you could look yourself in the mirror and say I
stuck to my principles.” Bush followed up, “I think that’s important in life.
And it’s definitely important for the president to have a set of principles
that one is willing to defend. …the principles are still an important part of
my life.”
Bush told Perino, “That’s important when you are running an organization so
that the people who work with you know what you believe in and know those
beliefs won’t change.” Perino replied, “It made it easier to be your press
secretary.”
Most everyone knows who George W. Bush is and what he stands for. While not all
agree with how he governed in the Oval Office, even those who differ with him
politically readily acknowledge that he is consistent and his policies
reflected his convictions and principles.
The comments and insights about America’s 43
rd president highlight
some biblical principles.
What we believe is evident in what we say. Christ said, “For out
of the abundance of the heart [a man’s] mouth
speaks.” (Luke 6:45b) When there is faith in Jesus Christ and hearts and minds
are controlled by the Holy Spirit, what we say reflects what’s inside.
Christ also said, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No, ‘No.’” (Matthew 5:37) If one is known as person of integrity, his word is good enough, and an oath is
unnecessary.
When one’s faith in Christ is alive and well, it will also naturally evidence
itself in actions, not just words. James wrote, “What does it profit, my
brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? … I will show
you my faith by my works. … For as the body without the spirit is dead, so
faith without works is dead also.” (James
2:14, 18b, 26)
All of this doesn’t necessarily come easily; it requires our careful attention.
Wise King Solomon wrote, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it
spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) The Hebrew word translated as
“keep” means to preserve or guard with faithfulness. “Heart” is the inner man, the
mind, will, conscience, or moral character.
Bush claims to know Christ as his personal Savior, and he knows the importance
of reading the Bible. Several have reported that he has read it cover to cover
and reads a portion daily. That may account for his unwavering commitment to
being a man of integrity.
The guide from which our principles and convictions should arise is the Word of
God. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that
the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2
Timothy 3:16, 17) God’s Word is a sure foundation for consistent belief and
actions.
Bush knew his presidential policies weren’t always popular with his political
opponents, but he told Perino that at the end of his presidency he could say,
“I didn’t sell my soul.” After leaving the White House, he told a crowd back in
Midland, Texas, “Through it all, I stayed true to those convictions. I’m coming
home with my head held high….”
Words and actions that stem from biblical principles won’t always be popular either, but that shouldn’t deter believers. When we hold to what we believe and people know what we believe because it is evident in our lives, “...we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.” (Hebrews 13:19) In the end we can say, “I stayed true to those convictions,” or, as the Apostle Paul put it, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:9)
Gayle Virkler
“Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.” (Proverbs 27:1)
