Quid Pro Quo

Yesterday the Illinois Senate impeached Governor Rod Blogojevich by a vote of 59-0.  I don’t think any of us doubt that political acumen is measured in one’s ability to wheel-and-deal and even a to twist a few arms. Let’s face it; politics is an adversarial enterprise, no matter how much politicians talk about bipartisanship. Conservatism and Liberalism are mutually exclusive ideologies. Add to the equation a person’s desire to be reelected and his or her need to appease their constituency and the environment is bound to be an ethical labyrinth. Gaining and wielding influence, persuading others to see things our way and to side with us, and influencing others is part of life and there are healthy ways to do these things. This is why it is so important to have an absolute moral authority to guide us.

Politicians can be people of integrity and character regardless of their party, but the lines have to get blurred without a strong and absolute moral compass. Now regular citizen, Rod Blogojevich, may or may not be charged criminally, but he put desire above integrity and crossed the line. “Quid Pro Quo” means “something for something.” Quid Pro Quo is as improper in politics as it is in Christianity. We are to exert as much influence as we can, but only within the appropriate boundaries. Politicians are supposed to do what is best for their constituency, not necessarily what their constituency wants. As potential contributors see the job a politician does they will contribute accordingly, but the likelihood of that contribution is never supposed to dictate a politicians next move.  Give-and-take among legislators is fine, but pay-to-play is not. Blogojevich got caught peddling influence instead of wielding it.

So it is with Christians. We are not supposed to do acts of righteousness in an effort to get God to do what we want. Our acts of righteousness are supposed to be motivated both by what God has already done for us and our love for Him. I love God because He first loved me and he sent His Son to atone for my sins. I trust Him as a wonderful Father to bless my obedience, but I should be obedient because I love Him, not because of what I might get out of the deal. What God has already provided for me is more than I’ll ever deserve and more than I could possibly earn in a thousand lifetimes of doing good.