A Representative’s Duty

On March 13, 2014 the US House of Representatives passed HR 4138 otherwise known as the Enforce the Law Act of 2014. What is its purpose?

“To protect the separation of powers in the Constitution of the United States by ensuring that the President takes care that the laws be faithfully executed, and for other purposes.”

It is a shame that it is necessary for such a bill to be introduced at all. However, the framers of our Constitution clearly defined the powers that each of the three branches of government hold. Recently, Representative Trey Gowdy addressed the members of the House to remind them of their duty to us the citizens they represent. His speech is non-partisan. It is not filled with animosity nor vitriol. One can, however, hear his frustration with the members as he speaks regarding their unwillingness to perform all of the duties for which they were elected.

It is our duty as citizens to be aware of what our government is doing. The House of Representatives, aka – ‘the People’s House’ is there to work for us. We, as their bosses, need to ensure that they are performing a duty for which they were elected. They make law. Whether or not we are ‘interested’ in politics, we should care whether or not our public servants are doing their job.

With punitive measures as the only avenue to pursue, when a government official is not faithfully executing their oath of office, partisan politics can get out of control. But our representatives do indeed have a responsibility to ensure that every branch of our government performs their duties – according to the law that Congress (we the people) have passed.

Legal language can sometimes be like reading a foreign language. It may even at times be intentionally misleading. Watch Rep. Gowdy addresses his fellow members of the House of Representatives, defending in layman’s terms, House Bill 4138.

As ‘God’s representatives’ we acknowledge that God is our Supreme Lawmaker. We, like those in Congress, need to understand our role as His representative to those in the world. Our responsibility is to communicate the gospel clearly, not attempt to make or re-write His laws – nor to execute judgment on those who violate them. We are to introduce Jesus to those who do not know Him. Without judgment or the use Christianeze, our duty is to (in all things) support His cause and communicate His love to others.

1 Corinthians 14: 39-40 The Voice (VOICE) 39 So, my dear brothers and sisters, passionately desire to prophesy; but don’t ban the gift of speaking in unknown languages. 40 Just maintain the proper order in all things.