Updated 04:40 pm.EST, Sat November 21, 2009

Opinion|Fri, Jul. 03 2009 12:11 PM EDT

A Governor, a King, and the Tragedy of Adultery

By R. Albert Mohler, Jr.|Christian Post Guest Columnist

Speaking, not of his wife, but of his mistress, Governor Sanford declared that he would go to his grave "knowing that I had met my soul mate."

Immediately following the governor's first admission, it seemed that he might survive politically and remain in office. The nation found itself once again in a debate about the relationship between personal virtue and public responsibility. This is a question that is particularly vexing to Christian conservatives, who must simultaneously understand that all are sinners in need of redemption and, at the same time, affirm that some sins disqualify individuals from public service and influence.

America's recent political history indicates that some politicians can survive revelations of adultery. While Christians should be less concerned about the political consequences and more concerned about the spiritual consequences, it is fair to observe that those politicians who survive more often than not do so when the adulterous relationship is clearly over and in the more distant past and when the politician has given himself in a demonstrable way to the priority of rebuilding his marriage and reestablishing credibility with his family.

Put simply, Governor Sanford's most recent comments point to a worst-case scenario. His words make clear that his heart is still inclined toward his mistress, and not his wife. With tragic candor, the governor has spoken of trying to fall back in love with his wife. He refers to his mistress, not his wife, as his soul mate, and speaks wistfully of the affair as "a love story at the end of the day."

Governor Sanford may cite King David, and he may even suffer the illusion that his response is similar to that of Israel's King. Nevertheless, the difference is clear. David's adultery was mixed even with murder, but his own acknowledgment of sin came in a flood of contrition, remorse, broken heartedness, and humility. David acknowledged the reality of his sin, expressed his hatred of the sin, and became a model for us all of repentance. Governor Sanford, on the other hand, demonstrates the audacity to speak wistfully of his sin, longingly of his lover, and romantically of his descent into unfaithfulness.

Governor Sanford is no King David, and the people of South Carolina – as well as the watching world – now observe the sad spectacle of a man who, while admitting to wrongdoing, shows no genuine repentance. As the Christian church has long recognized, true repentance is reflected in the "detestation of sin." This is a far cry from what we've heard from Governor Sanford.

If the governor is really serious about demonstrating character to his four sons, he should resign his office and give himself unreservedly to his wife and family. He must show his sons – and all who have eyes to see – how a man is led by the grace and mercy of God to hate his sin, rather than to love it. Until then, the governor must be understood to indulge himself in wistfulness for his affair and in a desperate determination to maintain his office. His remaining days in office are like a Greek tragedy unfolding into farce. The whole picture is just unspeakably sad.

Adapted from R. Albert Mohler Jr.'s weblog at www.albertmohler.com.
___________________________________________________

R. Albert Mohler, Jr. is president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. For more articles and resources by Dr. Mohler, and for information on The Albert Mohler Program, a daily national radio program broadcast on the Salem Radio Network, go to www.albertmohler.com. For information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to www.sbts.edu. Send feedback to mail@albertmohler.com. Original Source: www.albertmohler.com.
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  • Tue Jul 28, 2009 7:44 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    Consistency is what the scriptures are about. Supporting widows and orphans, live an exemplary shine above the society in which we live, and not be swayed by those that put ritual above salvation are the true standards God spells out through James. Why is it then that Christians are quick to forgive Republican sinners, opposed to Democratic sinners? This action of selective sin forgiveness is not biblical. Why is one more important to Church eyes, than it is to God? Those who live in the conservative houses should not throw stones at Democratic sinners, failing to toss a few at Republicans, they are being the hypocrites that the mainstream media accuses the Church of being. Selective forgiveness does not give salvation, Jesus does. One last thing, what did the "Conservative Congress" do during the time they had control of both houses? They did absolutely nothing. All they did was pander to Christians to get their votes. Conservative "values" of the Republican party do nothing to help the widows and orphans. Catering only to the kings in fine clothing, that is not what Christ wanted, read it for your selves in the Word. Be the Christian that he wants, not sheep.

  • Tue Jul 07, 2009 2:58 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    "Sanford has shamed himself and should repent by leaving his office to another."

    Give me a break! Repent by leaving his office to another? Duck and run? Is that what we as Christians should do? Not to mention that the office he holds isn't a "Christian" office after all. If your boss at work had an affair and got caught, would you ask for his resignation?

    One of the issues that we face every day is an opportunity to extend grace or an opportunity to extend condemnation. Unfortunately I see a whole lot of the latter rather than the former. Who would want to every consider Christianity when all they see is so-called Christians calling for people's heads when they've fallen.

    And false conversion? How do you know his heart? We need to constantly remind ourselves that there is only one being (or three in one!) that truly knows each individual. We, on the other hand, should be showing the grace that has been bestowed on each of us.

  • rj78 »
    Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:48 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    burwell-

    Are you implyng that I think God brought Sanford's mistress unto his life?

    If not, what is your point?

    And, who are you to judge whether or not he is a real Christian? Look at Peter, who was a true believer. He messed up, as we all do.

    With the same measure you judge others it will be poured into your lap.

  • Sun Jul 05, 2009 10:18 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

    "Seriously, guys, when God brings a woman into your life, treat her like gold. Besides Jesus, she is God's greatest gift to you."
    rj78, Sanford should hold to what he has and stop playing fast and loose with the emotions of his family.
    Sanford has shamed himself and should repent by leaving his office to another. Mark Sanford has demonstrated his false conversion and must repent for the first time.

    Thank you Pastor Mohler for your leadership and your wisdom.
    Patrick Burwell, OnlyJesusSaves.com

  • Sun Jul 05, 2009 5:03 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    Flagged as inappropriate. show "The sad spectacle of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford continues to dominate the headlines as further revelations add one bizarre twist after another to the governor's tale..." That's so last week. This week its "The sad spectacle of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin continues to dominate the headlines as further revelations add one bizarre twist after another to the governor's tale..." hide

  • Sat Jul 04, 2009 12:34 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

    "The whole picture is just unspeakably sad."

    This article is unspeakably sad. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. is president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Perhaps this is why Southern Baptists have such a poor reputation as holy holy on Sunday and holy terror the rest of the week. Just FYI, I am a member of a Southern Baptist Church. We are a church for those who have been burned in churches pastored by some of Mr. Mohler's graduates.

  • rj78 »
    Fri Jul 03, 2009 10:35 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    How to tell if you married the right woman-

    1) she has not taken fertility drugs, had a hundred kids, bossed you around and insulted you on camera, ignored you for years while chasing her eight little faces around and wondered why the marriage has not worked

    2) she has not told intimate family secrets, insulted men, told stories about her underwear and done the robot while chanting "what about me, what about me" in front of millions of people

    3) she has not read any book in the "Every Man's Marriage" Series

    4) she has never read "I Kissed Dating Goodbye"

    5) she has always watched your Clint Eastwood dvds with you

    Seriously, guys, when God brings a woman into your life, treat her like gold. Besides Jesus, she is God's greatest gift to you.

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