Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Impeachment Revisited

2 Chronicles 12:8
They will, however, become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands."

Yesterday marked the closing of the our nation’s first trial against a Supreme Court chief justice. With 20 votes for conviction and only 3 for acquittal, Mr. Corona was pronounced guilty by the impeachment court.  His failure to disclose to the public his SALN as required by the constitution, amounting to 2.4 million USD and 80 million PHP, was found substantive betrayal of public trust. Although he earlier pleaded it was ‘in good faith’ to his interpretation of the Foreign Currency Deposit Law and explained that the other one was a commingled account, the senator-judges obviously did not buy it.  With his position plus all his credentials and experience, it is highly expected of him to best interpret the law and its application. One senator pounded on that importance. And so it’s almost funny when one senator admitted he is not well-versed in law matters, being just a high school graduate. But a lot of us can’t either. We’re just glad we don’t have to.   

In the fifth year of Rehoboam, after his kingly position was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the Lord. Because of their unfaithfulness, God allowed Egypt’s king to attack them. This Shishak captured their fortified cities and carried off all Solomon’s treasures - - meaning all that they long worked for and took pride in. Realizing it was because of their sin, Judah humbled themselves before the Lord and sought His deliverance.  The verse above was God’s response to their prayers. His mercy may grant them rescue from total destruction, but His justice would see that they get disciplined. They needed to see for themselves how liberating is God’s laws compared to tyrants. How His yoke is easy and His burden, light.

Listening to the senator-judges, with all their technical terms and cross references to R.A.’s and more numbers, I can’t help but compare it to the study of the Scriptures.  It likewise requires thoroughness and discipline to interpret it, same high standards for life’s application and practice, and a comparable call for accountability and responsibility.  It quite sounds not for the common Juan.  But unlike the law of the land that shouts total compliance (and a lot of paperworks!), God’s Word, although pro-excellence and submission, is not His measuring rod. Otherwise, we will all be impeached. He will not ask you in heaven whether you know this or that verse, not even whether you obeyed this or that law. His only question was: Did you put your faith in Jesus? I’m sure a lot of senator-like will cry in disbelief ‘That’s it?! Good faith? No cross examinations, no proof of evidence required?’  Well, that’s the difference between serving Him and the rulers of other lands. You won’t find any other tribunal acquitting the guilty. How much more justified? Only in God's court!
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Impeachment Revisited

2 Chronicles 12:8
They will, however, become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands."

Yesterday marked the closing of the our nation’s first trial against a Supreme Court chief justice. With 20 votes for conviction and only 3 for acquittal, Mr. Corona was pronounced guilty by the impeachment court.  His failure to disclose to the public his SALN as required by the constitution, amounting to 2.4 million USD and 80 million PHP, was found substantive betrayal of public trust. Although he earlier pleaded it was ‘in good faith’ to his interpretation of the Foreign Currency Deposit Law and explained that the other one was a commingled account, the senator-judges obviously did not buy it.  With his position plus all his credentials and experience, it is highly expected of him to best interpret the law and its application. One senator pounded on that importance. And so it’s almost funny when one senator admitted he is not well-versed in law matters, being just a high school graduate. But a lot of us can’t either. We’re just glad we don’t have to.   

In the fifth year of Rehoboam, after his kingly position was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the Lord. Because of their unfaithfulness, God allowed Egypt’s king to attack them. This Shishak captured their fortified cities and carried off all Solomon’s treasures - - meaning all that they long worked for and took pride in. Realizing it was because of their sin, Judah humbled themselves before the Lord and sought His deliverance.  The verse above was God’s response to their prayers. His mercy may grant them rescue from total destruction, but His justice would see that they get disciplined. They needed to see for themselves how liberating is God’s laws compared to tyrants. How His yoke is easy and His burden, light.

Listening to the senator-judges, with all their technical terms and cross references to R.A.’s and more numbers, I can’t help but compare it to the study of the Scriptures.  It likewise requires thoroughness and discipline to interpret it, same high standards for life’s application and practice, and a comparable call for accountability and responsibility.  It quite sounds not for the common Juan.  But unlike the law of the land that shouts total compliance (and a lot of paperworks!), God’s Word, although pro-excellence and submission, is not His measuring rod. Otherwise, we will all be impeached. He will not ask you in heaven whether you know this or that verse, not even whether you obeyed this or that law. His only question was: Did you put your faith in Jesus? I’m sure a lot of senator-like will cry in disbelief ‘That’s it?! Good faith? No cross examinations, no proof of evidence required?’  Well, that’s the difference between serving Him and the rulers of other lands. You won’t find any other tribunal acquitting the guilty. How much more justified? Only in God's court!