Does God Love Donald Trump?

Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore

The answer, of course, is yes.

Apparently, there are a lot of Americans who think he's swell, too.

I'd like to address those who don't, especially those of us who identify ourselves as Christ-followers.

See, Jesus Christ spent a great deal of time with a lot of Trump-like people during His ministry here on earth.  While they likely didn't wear the same hairstyle, they did display plenty of self-sufficient arrogance, love of money, foolish talk, mockery of Truth, etc., which are traits Trump opposers see in the popular businessman-turned-politician.

But Jesus, the very One who was being mocked, didn't mock in return.  He didn't belittle or name-call or bash or mud-sling against his enemies.

He stated the facts about them.  He called sin sin.  He was no cowtow-er or wimp about what needed to be said.

What He said, though, He spoke in love.  There was a purpose in calling them out.  He offered His very own life for even those who spit upon Him and dug thorns into his scalp.

It seems like the least we can do as His ambassadors is behave civilly.  State the facts, yes.  It's important to state clearly why a candidate is or isn't capable of doing a stellar job.  The problem seems to be in allowing our emotions, our desperation, to take over our sensibilities and soon our feelings about things are speaking without being filtered through the Holy Spirit's leading.

The same is true when dealing with fellow voters who don't agree with us.  Regardless of how misled we believe them to be, we can and should choose kindness in our thoughts, words, attitudes, and actions toward them.  Accountability is a part of love, but love is also a part of accountability.

In a way, these are desperate times.  But we who have chosen God's free gift are not a desperate people!  We may feel despair, but that is not the actual state we are in.  I've seen posts on Facebook about how we have our hope in God, not in a political candidate, and that is thankfully true!  But are we living out the peace that is ours to cling to?

Let's state the facts and leave the name-calling behind.  God wants us to be an example of His higher standard!

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 1 Timothy 2:1-3

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Ephesians 4:31

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.  Ephesians 4:29

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20