If you can once get him to the point of thinking that ‘religion is all very well up to a point,’ you can feel quite happy about his soul. A moderated religion is as good for us as no religion at all- and more amusing.
The Screwtape Letters - C.S. LewisA large portion of those who call themselves followers of Jesus have aligned themselves dangerously close as supporters of President Trump and his policies. Many that I have spoken to portray an allegiance to Trump stronger than to the words of Jesus. I fear for my family in the Body of Christ, that they have aligned themselves with the world, rather than Jesus.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. - Proverbs 14:12
It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in princes. - Psalm 118:8-9
A quick YouTube search shows that Trump believes in God. However, that doesn't qualify him as a good Christian leader. A quick read of James 2:19 shows us that belief alone is useless. Even demons believe! Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Follow me as I follow Christ." His motivation for this is at the end of the previous chapter. "I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved."
In this YouTube video Trump is asked if he has ever asked God for forgiveness. Trump's reply is roundabout and indirect but, eventually he answers at 1:15 "I'm not sure I ever have."
In both Matthew 6 and Luke 11, Jesus gives us an example of how to pray. Both passages include asking for forgiveness. Based on 1 John 1:9, Trump's personal policy on asking God forgiveness has put our nation into a position where God cannon "cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
In a recent political stunt, Trump had his security tactically remove peaceful protesters so he could walk to a church to be seen holding "a bible," not his bible.
This doesn't align with what Jesus tells us to do in Matthew 6:5-6. "When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you."
In the biblical account of Jesus, we read about our Messiah living out the words of the prophet Micah. Do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.
To do justice, or to do the right thing. Trump's business practices show that he is anything but just. He has built wealth from systematically corrupt business practices. To love mercy Trump's twitter feed reads not of a merciful leader, but of a would-be dominating tyrant. To walk humbly with God. Even in Trump's own words from the previously mentioned video, he does not believe he needs to ask for forgiveness.
Now, we who call ourselves followers of Jesus should pray for our president. However, this does not mean that we should follow him, or behave like him. If we truly want healing in our country, we need to pray out the examples within scripture. God says in 2 Chronicles 7, " if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
Christians walk a fine line between prayerfully supporting our govenrment leaders, and turning them and their ideals into idols replacing the teachings of Jesus. As followers of Jesus, we should hope and pray not only for a leader who believes in God, but one who humbly follows God, striving to be an immitator of Jesus. May Trump learn to pray like King David in Psalm 51.