Weekly Opinion Editorial
SHORTEY’S
SHORTCOMINGS
by Steve
Fair
Last week the Oklahoma State Senate
unanimously voted to strip Senator Ralph Shortey, (R-OKC), of his privileges as
a State Senator. He can still vote, but
he doesn’t have an office, a legislative assistant or a parking place. Shortey was evidently caught in a motel room
with a 17 year old boy and allegedly he wasn’t there to do spiritual counseling
with the lad. The Cleveland County DA
charged him with three counts, all involving prostitution. Social media blew up after the incident was revealed. Most called for Shortey to resign including
the Governor and Lt. Governor. Others
said he should be considered innocent until proven guilty and the Senate’s
action was too quick. Four observations:
First, those who thump their Bible better
be prepared to be thumped harder than those that don’t when they fall. Shortey claims to be a Christian conservative. He doesn’t drink and he doesn’t chew and he doesn’t
run with girls that do. His bio says he
studied to be a missionary, but abandoned that idea to go into politics. It seems strange God would lead a man to
abandon an eternal calling for a temporal one, but that’s between Shortey and
God. I don’t know Shortey’s spiritual
condition before God, but the scripture says there is something known as the
‘fruit of the spirit.’(Gal. 5) Love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
flow out of a believer’s heart. True believers aren’t vindictive, retaliatory,
hateful and impatient. Those actions are
the fruit of the flesh. Sadly, there are
more professors than possessors and just because someone says they are
regenerated doesn’t mean they are.
Second, depravity is universal. The condemnation of Shortey, by those on both
political spectrums reminds me of when the Pharisees brought to Jesus the woman
found in adultery. He told them, “He
that is without sin, cast the first stone.”
One by one they left until not one of the Pharisees was there to accuse
her because their conscience condemned them of their own sin. The realized they had a sin nature and except
for the grace of God, they were just like the adulterous woman. Bear in mind, the Pharisees were unregenerate.
Even the unregenerate know they are not perfect and that they sin. When Adam
fell, all mankind fell. We have an
inherent sin nature and those who claim they don’t sin are either dishonest or
ignorant of their very nature. Depravity
manifests itself in many ways and alleged Shortey’s transgression is one that
seems particularly grievous, but he that is without sin, cast the first stone. Depravity misses no man.
Third, Shortey should have resigned
immediately if the accusations are true.
True Christian believers don’t cover up their sin- they repent of
it. They face the music. They don’t hire a high powered defense
attorney, try to find loopholes and pull legal shenanigans to beat the
rap. They do the right thing and
repent. Everyone sins, everyone misbehaves, but how a
person handles themselves when they do is what defines them. Shortey shouldn’t be concerned about a paycheck
or future retirement; he should be concerned about doing what is right. When professing believers sin and then cover
it up, dodge responsibility and act like the world, they hurt the cause of the
gospel. If the allegations are true, he
is unfit for office, period. He should
immediately apologize and resign.
Fourth, political leaders should be like
those described in Exodus 18:21. Jethro,
Moses’ father-in-law gives four attributes of true leaders; able, truthful,
those that fear God and hate covetousness.
Most modern day leaders exhibit none of these. They instead campaign one way and then lead
another way. We need leaders who have
conviction and are worried more about the next generation than the next
election.
Shortey’s situation should humble anyone
who is involved in politics- no matter their ideology. We live in a culture that calls good evil and
evil good. Situational ethics rules the
day. No one should rejoice when someone
fails if they recognize they have the same feet of clay. Shortey should face the consequences for his
actions, but the sober man shouldn’t take delight in his shortcomings
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