From Kevin DeYoung’s commentary on the Gov. Sanford scandal:
Why do powerful politicians and pastors and pastor’s wives throw everything away for a few minutes of pleasure? Why did Esau sell his birthright for a mess of pottage? Because we are sinners, worse than we think, more capable of wickedness and stupidity than we imagine. You can have all the hedges of protection in the world, but without the gospel and the transforming power of Christ that comes through the word of God and prayer, we still have the same heart. “Lead me not in temptation, but deliver me from evil”–pray it every day. We all have the ability to be moral morons.
It is always, always, always (ad infinitum), easier to set rules, hedges, and boundaries than to actively pursue transformation of the heart by the Holy Spirit. One is religion, the other is gospel. There’s nothing wrong with the presence of rules. On the other hand, everything is wrong with solely depending on mere rules that check external behavior to do the supernatural work of inward sanctification. We need to seek some divine intervention.
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1Tim. 2:1-2)
And more than for reconciliation amongst fellow countrymen and other nations, pray for Iran to be reconciled to God through the peace-making blood of Christ.
[UPDATE: More here.]
