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Saturday, America lost one of her best friends of liberty. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was found dead at a West Texas resort. Appointed by President Reagan, Scalia was respected by both friend and foe on the Court. His ability to reason from the original intent of the Constitution by America’s Founders made him one of the best ever Supreme Court Judges. His ability to dismantle liberal, “smokescreen” arguments made him the feared enemy of liberal attorneys. He was one of two great champions on the Court for the truth of the Biblical positions on life in the womb, marriage, and religious liberty. With Scalia, the law, as our Founders gave it, applied to all. He literally changed the direction the court had been going before his appointment in the mid 1980’s by exposing the foolishness of interpreting law by what was called “legislative history.” His aim was always to stand by the Founders’ original intent for the Constitution. Few attorneys think like him today. It will take a work from God to give someone like him to fill his place on the Court. Let us pray for the Scalia family and others who were friends. Their loss is great. Let us likewise pray for our nation, as our loss is great also.

So what can we now expect? Soon after the news of Scalia’s death became public, Mr. Obama was talking of nominating a new judge for the Court. Of course, if he has his way it will be a left-wing, “I hate America” type of judge. On the other hand, Mitch McConnell, Majority Leader of the Senate, seems resistant to allow an Obama appointee to be nominated by the Senate. This is McConnell’s opportunity to finally be a champion for liberty. He can stop this if we will. Let us pray he will refuse to let himself be manipulated in this all-important decision for the life of our nation.

In the meantime, work in the Supreme Court will go on. Given the thinking of the present judges—unless God intervenes—we can expect the liberal agenda to make great strides this year. In my opinion, there are now four socialist judges on the court (Breyer, Sotomayer, Ginsburg, Kagan), two conservatives (Thomas and Alito), and two “swing” people (Roberts and Kennedy). Logically speaking, the best conservatives can hope for is a tie vote, which would mean both Roberts and Kennedy would have to vote with Thomas and Alito. In such a case, the decision of the previous lower court would stand. Any other outcome would mean the socialist agenda would advance with that particular ruling. (And, by the way, since Supreme Court judges must be nominated by a President, this is what makes this Presidential election year so critical for us. If you are a believer, be sure you get to the caucus and primary elections in your state and vote!)

So what should judges be like? Once again, the Bible is the only true source. Since God is the Author of civil government (Romans 13; Deuteronomy 1; 1 Peter 2) we must let Him tell what kind of character a judge should have, and what are his duties. Through Moses, God gave the Jewish nation judges for their civil government. Here is what He says about them:

“And I charged your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him.’” (Deuteronomy 1:16)

“If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.” (Deuteronomy 25:1)

America’s founders believed this about judges. John Jay, our very first U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice stated,

“Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty…of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”

(Jay, John. October 12, 1816, in a statement. The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Henry P. Johnston, ed., (New York: G.P Putnam & Sons, 1893; reprinted NY: Burt Franklin, 1970), Vol. IV, p. 393. Benjamin Franklin Morris, Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institute of the United States (Philadelphia: George W. Childs, 1864), p. 154.)

Antonin Scalia has met his Maker. So will you and I. Have you surrendered your life to Christ so as to be ready for that day?

Think about it; because if you don’t, someone else will do your thinking for you—and for your children! And you won’t like what that brings to you. I’m Don Pinson; this has been Think About It.