Gov. Bentley resigns.JPG

Former Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley makes a formal statement about his resignation at the Capitol Monday, April 10, 2017, in Montgomery, Ala.

(Photo by Julie Bennett/AL.com)

Ex-Gov. Robert J. Bentley got elected twice as governor based on his reputation as a moral leader and Baptist deacon, then cloaked himself in faith as he resigned.

"I've always believed the honor of serving as your governor was a calling that God placed on my life," Bentley said in his resignation speech on Monday. He resigned after pleading guilty to two misdemeanors in order to avoid impeachment and prosecution for felony charges, including those referred for prosecution last week by the Alabama Ethics Commission.

"I have spent the last year in deep and earnest prayer over our state and our people," Bentley said. "I pray every morning for wisdom and guidance and forgiveness for the sins that I commit."

Bentley even noted that his resignation and the transition to a new governor, Gov. Kay Ivey, happened during Holy Week, as Christians prepare for Easter this Sunday.

"This Easter week I'm even more grateful for a loving and merciful savior who will always love me - and you - unconditionally," Bentley said.

"Especially I give to thanks to God for such a wonderful gift that he gave me when he allowed me to be the governor of Alabama," Bentley said.

Alabama Baptist leaders have watched with shame as Bentley's tenure as governor turned toward misconduct in office.

The Rev. Joe Godfrey, a former state president for the Alabama Baptist Convention and currently a lobbyist for Baptist causes as executive director of the Alabama Citizens Action Program, watched the resignation.

"I didn't hear an apology," Godfrey said. "That worries me. Christians should be first to acknowledge our own wrongdoing. Our salvation is based on admitting we're sinners and we disobeyed God. Humility and acknowledging our sin and our wrongdoing is foundational to the Christian faith."

Even in text messages with his romantic interest and political consultant Rebekah Mason, whose family formerly attended First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa with the Bentleys, their relationship took on overtones of faith.

"Your purpose. Your mission. Your ministry," Rebekah wrote to him in a text message. "Your service is being Stolen from you."

Between sweet nothings, their texting sometimes turned theological.

"You honor God by doing what He says you should do," she wrote. "Not what Man says you should do."

As for Bentley's claim that he was called by God to be governor, Godfrey has no problem with that assertion.

"I do believe the Bible teaches that nobody is in power without the permission and the will of God," Godfrey said. "That does not mean God supports every person in leadership. If they go against his principles, he will see to it they are removed. He was not obeying the principles of God."

As for the new governor, "We certainly want to be praying for her," Godfrey said.

"It's a sad day, but the system has worked," Godrey said. "We have followed the laws. We managed to get rid of a bad leader who was not representing us the way he should."

Bentley ended his resignation speech by thanking supporters for sending him prayers. "Please continue to do that, and I will continue to pray for you," he said.