Who you are when no-one’s listening

It’s been fascinating observing the UK election campaign from a distance.  I’ve not seen too much of the debates and I’ve not had the day to day reviews that the UK media do so well.  I write as someone who enjoys politics, but at the present time isn’t as involved in or affected by UK politics as when we lived in the UK.  For the record, I won’t be voting in the May 6th UK election.  I suspect that after today’s events, nor will Gillian Duffy. 

“ Shock & awe”

I knew something major had happened when I received a text this morning telling me to go to the BBC website & see what Gordon Brown had done.  Since then, the story has spread widely and been covered from every angle.  For me, it linked in with something I’ve given thought to over recent months – integrity. 

Bill Hybels has a helpful book with a masterful title “Who You Are When No-One’s Looking”.  It looks at character and asks what are we like behind closed doors.  Today, Gordon Brown opened up another area of our lives that need to demonstrate integrity – what our mouths are like behind closed doors.  As Jesus said

“But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. ¹⁹ For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. ²⁰ These are what defile you.” (Matthew 15:18-20)

Much could be said about Gordon Brown, his words and integrity.  Bearing in mind Proverbs 10:19 says “When words are many, sin is not absent”, I’ll keep this brief.  Here are four things that can be said in response to today’s events:

(1) Gordon Brown should not have said it.

There’s no excusing him or what was said about Gillian Duffy.  It simply should never have been said – to Ms. Duffy’s face or behind her back.  To call her “a bigoted woman” was a slur, and on the basis of what has been reported as their conversation was simply not true.  I suspect that Gordon Brown (whether for political or moral reasons) realises himself that he should never had said those words.

(2) Gordon Brown should have said it. 

This time, I’m referring to the words “I’m sorry – I was wrong”.  As the Elton John/Blue song says “Sorry seems to be the hardest word.”  I appreciate that Gordon Brown did use “apologise” many times, but his use of “sorry” was limited and not particularly personal.  He should have simply and immediately said “I’m sorry – I was wrong.”  But before we jump on a bandwagon too quickly, there’s a third thing we can say…

(3) I could have said it.

As hastily as the media have been to criticise Gordon Brown for his comments on Ms Duffy, it seems that we have forgotten our own failings.  When I point the finger, there are always fingers pointing back at me.  Two sentences of Biblical wisdom seem appropriate – first Jesus’ caution - “let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” (John 8:7) and second, “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”  (Romans 2:1)

I am fully capable of saying nasty and back-biting comments about others.  I have done and in the future, I will fail again in this area.  I can accuse Gordon Brown, but in doing so, I condemn myself.

(4) I should say it.

Since I fail in the way I speak of others, at times to their face and more often, behind their backs, I should be someone who says “sorry” more often.  It may well be the hardest word to say, but it needs to be one at the forefront of every Christian’s lips.  In many ways, the crux of the gospel is contained in this word – it recognises I am a sinner and God is holy, it realises I have sinned against fellow humans and against God, it rejoices in that our sin can be forgiven only through the mediator between God and humans, Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross.

As a proud male, I struggle at times to say “I’m sorry – I was wrong” and yet, these are words to live by.  They are words which instead of bringing me failure and rejection bring me failure, forgiveness and grace. 

So, Gordon Brown did mess up.  But in doing so, he has given me a wonderfully fresh insight into what integrity should look like, what I am like and what living in God’s glorious forgiveness should look like.