The trend in America has been to ideologically divorce ourselves from the sin of our governmental leadership. At the mention of our leaders' sin, we call it a "private matter" or a "personal issue" that the people of the United States need not be concerned. After all, what does personal sin have to do with leading a nation?

The basic qualifications for leading our great nation, as clearly shown in the Bible, have been long forgotten. The indivisible link between the essence of a leader and his leadership ineffably proves that "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible" (George Washington). The discarded biblical principles of leadership, upon which hinge our national prosperity, must be applied if we are to maintain our God-given liberty.

From beginning to end, the Bible holds both spiritual and governmental leaders, not to an equal standard, but to a higher standard of character than the people whom they govern. The sacrifice for sin was required to be of greater value for one in leadership than for an individual (Lev. 4). In God's eyes the gravity of a spiritual leader's sin was equivalent to national sin. While individual sin was handled in a more private manner, the sin of a spiritual leader was dealt with before everyone. Although not to the same degree as a spiritual leader, a governmental leader also had greater accountability to God for his sin than an individual.

The sin of a leader affects everyone under his leadership and the conduct of a nation's leadership affects the entire nation. For this reason a leader's sin has greater consequences than an individual's. The national connection to these consequences has been a major point of denial among the populace. Although some may argue this point, any absence of a greater correlation of a lack of governmental morality and virtue to ourselves is not due to a lack of its effect, but a result of God's mercy. May the grace of God prevail so that the cloud of sin is never fully realized.

Denial cannot change reality. The sin of leadership has always had national influence and effect. When King Abimelech sinned he said his sin had "brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin..." (Gen. 20:9). King Manasseh's sin brought evil upon Judah so great "that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle" (2 Kings 21:12). The sin of King David resulted in 70,000 men losing their lives (1 Chr. 21:14).

Thankfully not with the same severity, but yet even today the sin of our leaders influences national attitudes, speech and approach to sin. The sin of leadership has had a numbing effect upon our nation to where the flagrant display of immorality is no longer shocking. Sin has now become a mistake and immorality has become a character flaw. Sin, which once brought personal shame, accountability and removal from leadership, is now said to be of no great consequence.

True to the biblical principle, the virtue of our nation's leadership has also had an unavoidable effect on our nation. While sin has brought national reproach and disgrace, righteous leadership has brought national blessing (Pro. 14:34). The leadership that birthed this great nation, founded America on virtue and morality. The morally upright and virtuous leadership of our founding fathers has exalted this nation to greatness and has been a significant factor in the historical progress of this nation.

The only foundation of a free Constitution is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People in a greater Measure, than they have it now, they may change their Rulers and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting liberty -- John Adams.

The state of our nation's greatness is dependent upon the sin or integrity of our leaders. The further progress of this beloved nation is contingent upon those who govern being held to a higher standard than the individuals governed. In the words of William Penn, "If thou wouldst rule well, thou must rule for God, and to do that, thou must be ruled by him... Those who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."

True leadership does not look to those who are being governed for direction. It does not seek direction from the masses nor change as a result of public opinion. True leadership looks to God and the convictions within to lead the way that is right. The right course of governing may not always be popular, but it, nonetheless, is still the correct way. A leader, therefore, must have convictions of morality. For if he does not, how can he know the correct moral way to lead this nation and continue the national liberty we enjoy.

We must once again require virtue and conviction of morality in our leadership. The alternative is the eventual loss of our liberties. "Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand" (John Adams).

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