jeffduncan

An Open Letter to My Congressman

Dear Representative Duncan,

 

I am writing to you as a constituent and someone who has voted for you since your first election in 2010. More than that, though, while I am not writing on any church’s behalf (I am writing for myself alone), I am writing as a leader in a church in your constituency. Finally, and maybe most importantly, I am writing to you as a follower of Jesus who knows you have a profession of faith in the same Jesus I do. I am writing in love with a warning and with a challenge.

 

Divorce proceeding records now made public and testimony of those around you attest that you are involved in or have been involved in adulterous relationships. This a grievous sin before God and against your wife (Exodus 20:14). Marriage is our Lord’s holiest institution. Marriage presupposes and undergirds every other institution – neighborhoods, churches, states, and countries. Marriage must be honored and vows must be kept if we have any hope to continue as a civilization.

 

Because marriage is central to life and because of your violation of your vows, I’m writing to you with the following two exhortations.

 

First, repent of this sin. Please, your eternal soul is in danger. To walk away brazenly from the wife of your youth and embrace another woman is evidence that your eternity is in peril. Following Jesus necessitates that you forsake the affection of every other woman, get back to your home, and do everything you can to pursue your wife and repair that holy union. That will not be easy. You will need to be surrounded and supported by a local church and other believers.

 

My second exhortation is related to the first. The most important factor in your life right now is your marriage. It’s not your job as a Congressman. Indeed, it appears that your location in Washington is nurturing your adulterous relationships. Please, flee that city like Joseph fled Potiphar’s house. To that end, I am asking you resign your seat in Congress and come home.

 

Your family needs you. Our community’s children need to see the severity of adultery. Other marriages need to see men in leadership prioritize their marriages above their own passions or careers.

 

Governor McMaster will replace you with someone who will vote similarly to you, so your absence will not empower any harmful ideas. Thank you for your decade of service. It’s time for that service to conclude, though.

 

God is gracious. When we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (I John 1:9). You’re a relatively young man. This doesn’t have to be your end. If you will confess and repent and then pursue your marriage, there is hope to be had for a life much better and much more fulfilling than being a Member of Congress.

 

Prayerfully hopeful you will hear and consider these warnings and exhortations,
Cory Truax
Easley, SC