A Better Way

 
Rick Santorum says he wants to run a positive campaign against Mitt Romney. “We’re out talking about what we want to do, and how we’re going to change this country, and how we’re the best person to take on Barack Obama. We’re not there making scurrilous charges,” Santorum announced to the press a couple of days ago in Idaho.

Given the tone of the GOP campaign so far, is this remotely possible? Even if Santorum fails to follow through on these good intentions, though, they are a welcome reminder of a passage in 2 Timothy which we are all wise to remember, in which Paul calls on Timothy to "pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace."

He continues, "Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servants must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness." Paul then concludes his thought: "God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will." (2 Timothy 2:22-26)

How often are we tempted (by the devil, one might add!) to criticize and condemn, thinking that our harsh critique will put our detractors in their place and show to them the error of their ways? The error is, in fact, ours. Whether or not our opponents "see the light" is up to God, not us. However, we are not to do nothing or to assume that God will take care of them in God's own time. Rather we are enjoined to gently correct them, to offer kind words in an attitude of love which suggests a better approach to the issue at hand is possible.

Of course, this probably won't fly in the harsh, cold world of politics, but we can take Paul's words to heart as we approach Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent. Let us remain focused on the cross and on God's great sacrifice for us, undeserving though we are, given for us that we may know the fullness of God's forgiveness and love.

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