Eight years ago, President Obama was sworn into office. In his speech to supporters on the last night of voting in the primary campaign he said,
“If we are willing to work for it, fight for it, and believe in it, then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick, good jobs for the jobless and end a war.
This was the moment – this was the time – when we came together to remake this great nation so that it may always reflect our very best selves, and our highest ideals.”
As a result of his tenure, several reporters at CNN compiled an article on Obama, entitled, “Obama’s final report card: Did he live up to his promise?” It was an attempt to grade him on his accomplishments as President against his campaign promises as presidential candidate.
We are all judged in some shape and form and just as Obama is being graded and judged so shall we Christians be judged on our deeds against our promises to fulfill aspects of our belief and faith. If we should meet God now, how would our report card stack up? How well are we performing against our duties as a Christian? What is our duty as Christians? What would God say should he put together our report card?
2 Corinthians 5:20 tells us we are to be ambassadors of Christ, being of service to others (Mark 10:43), defend others in need; “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” (Proverbs 31:8-9).
The report went on to grade Obama favourably in some areas and not so favourable in others. Whilst we are drawing comparisons to Obama being graded as President and our own inevitable assessment as Christians, it is important to highlight a core difference.
As Christians, delivering on our promises to God should be absolute! We should strive to walk, talk, live and deliver in such a way that we exemplify and become the embodiment of what is good and holy in the name of the Lord, remembering that this will reflect in ‘our final appraisal’.