Compassion v. Power

With the coming disclosure of Hillary Rodham Clinton's Parkinson's Disease, the true sick nature of modern global politics will be revealed. We will see just how low they will go to get their person in position. How far they will push our collective conscience in their never ending quest for more power. Is it fair to subject us to all this craven display of dishonesty and pride called the 2016 Clinton Campaign? Realize how many people know the true nature of her health struggle, and consider that this may explain Benghazi, the slack handling of classified information (even when it was important to cover up her crimes!), why Uncle Joe “didn't” run but will likely be the next President, and the “non-indictment indictment” by the FBI. This is an outrageous insanity we have been witnessing. Power has trumped compassion.

I believe she could have already shown great compassion by being honest with us all. But this is not her character. Can any sane person deny the character flaws that we have seen to date? Even reducing by ¾ the reports we have heard? Her moral code, like many politicians and other sociopaths, is very likely “seared.” For example, the Bible says, “...in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron...” I Timothy 4:1-2. I hope not.

Even now I believe she can still show compassion, and join openly the struggle against Parkinson's that families wage around the world on a daily basis. I sure hope this is what she does, and soon. Maybe her later years will be spend doing something positive and productive, like donating millions of “Clinton Cash” to Parkinson's research and treatment. I mean, for crying out loud, y'all.

Compare her actions with Michael J. Fox or Billy Graham. We may be about to see many hurtful things said, things which may end up wounding many thousands who are living with Parkinson's. Hillary Rodham Clinton will go down with this great opportunity lost, sacrificed on the altar of power.

We must brace ourselves for what may come in the public discourse. Christians must commit to seeking truth, speaking truth, and showing compassion. Sympathy, understanding, and watching one's manners about a devastating disease are what is called for. As we go through this together, please consider how this affects those suffering with Parkinson's, and other debilitating illnesses. Realize that they will deserve our thoughts and prayers as they see this unfold in the coming days. 

HRC in Blue Glasses

Peace or Payback?

If you take some time to sort through 1 Peter 3, you'll see that believers are to be a source of blessing.  Exactly what blessing means includes truth, btw.  

Blessing is here contrasted with common behavior: retribution.  This is the big word for "payback" (yes, we all know "payback is H#77", so don't even think about saying that out loud).  Blessing is clearly contrasted, and is in fact opposed by or even defeated by payback.  

If Christians simply give insult for insult, evil for evil, we are defeating the purpose for which we are called by God.  We are going to inherit blessings of the heavenly kind, the unimaginable kind, and so we are to be the source from which others are blessed. Verse 13 reminds us that we have no need to fear harm if we are staying in the right.  

This is just not our regular instinct.  I want to be the sheriff, the judge, jury and, well...you know.  But this ain't my calling, is it?  Jesus didn't save us so we could get even.

SO- you gotta love the application of Psalm 34:11ff in verses 10-12.  Who thinks of "people who want to live, love, and be happy" as a Biblical idea?  The behavior will follow the calling of God to salvation.  Any retribution belongs to the One who calls.

What is for us is to be harmonious, which I hope means cooperative, sympathetic, which helps us pray like crazy, brotherly, including acceptance in the big family of God, kindhearted, including to cruel people we find unattractive, and humble in spirit, that is, satisfied with God and His work in us.  

The next time someone steps on your cornflakes, will you choose peace or payback? If you were ever attacked for being a Christian, would you be able to explain why you're giving a blessing?

"Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it."