The Good Work of Keeping Campaign Promises

By:  Dale Weckbacher

James 2:20

But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

NKJV

Some interpret this verse to mean that our salvation is based upon our good works.  In fact, some even believe the Apostle Paul and James were at odds doctrinally over the doctrine of salvation by grace since Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8 that our salvation was based upon God’s grace and had nothing to do with our works.  The truth is that there is no disagreement between James and Paul when we look at these verses in their context. 

Paul is talking about salvation but James is talking about the effect our faith has on others around us.  There is nothing any of us could do to deserve salvation from God for as we read in Isaiah, all our righteousness are like filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6) and the only way to wash these filthy rags is the blood of Jesus Christ.  James 2:20 is encouraging us to demonstrate our faith in Jesus Christ through our good works.  If those who have not experienced salvation do not see a change in our lives from doing works of evil to righteous works, why would they want to give their lives to Christ?  We could interpret James 2:20 to mean our witness for Christ without works is dead. 

Politically, most of us are frustrated when we vote for someone who promises one thing during the campaign only to reverse course once in office.  When we vote for a change in leadership, as voters did in the 2014 election, we have an expectation that the ones we put into office will make good on their campaign promises.  The recently passed legislation that outlaws Obama’s executive amnesty will provide the first test on the resolve of the newly elected republican majorities in the House and Senate to follow through on their campaign promises. 

The legislation now moves on to the Senate where even though Republicans hold a 55 to 45 majority, the bill must clear cloture before coming to a vote.  To clear cloture requires 60 votes so even if all 55 Republicans vote for the legislation, 5 Democrats will be necessary to bring the bill up for a vote before the full Senate.  This, however, does not mean these Democrats are required to vote for the legislation for the cloture vote is only a vote to allow the full Senate to vote for it.  If you live in a state with a Democrat senator, I encourage you to call or email them encouraging them to vote yes on cloture, allowing the full Senate to consider the legislation. 

However, even if the law passes the Senate obstacle, it then goes to the President where it is almost certain to receive his veto.  Congress can overturn the President’s veto but that requires a two-thirds majority, something that would be very difficult, if not impossible to achieve in the current political climate. 

Looking at the difficulties this legislation will encounter, it might be easy to throw up our hands and give up but that is where our newly elected leaders have an opportunity to demonstrate their resolve to live up to the promises they campaigned on.  Even if this legislation either dies in the Senate due to not being able to achieve cloture, or dies under the veto pen of the President, going through this process will demonstrate which party is out of touch with the desires of the American voters, and which party is in touch with voters.  In essence, going through this process will demonstrate the resolve of Republicans in Congress to perform good works dedicated to doing what they campaigned to do. 

I believe that this type of demonstration of good works by the newly elected Republicans in Congress will make it easier for a Republican dedicated to performing the same good works to win both the GOP nomination and win the 2016 Presidential election.  Failure to follow through however will only cause more voters to lose faith in both parties and stay home in 2016 as they did in 2012.  This is something our nation cannot afford.