Donald Trump has become an attractive presidential candidate because he is running as an outsider, makes bold statements, and makes promises people want to hear. Coming into the 2016 election season, many were frustrated with the state of our nation. Donald Trump walked into the perfect storm. He took advantage of that situation by taking on the persona of America's savior and fed into people's frustrations, idealism, and hopes.
Do not be fooled.
Trump is not the leader people hope for him to be
Donald Trump boasts about his success. However, many businesses he started have failed: Trump Shuttle, Trump: The Game, GoTrump.com, Trump Magazine, Trump Casinos, Trump Mortgage, Trump Vodka, Trump Steaks, Trump University.
In addition, Trump has also filed for bankruptcy four times. If Trump bases his qualification to be president on his success in business, past precedence with his business ventures should cause us to pause.
Although Trump sounds tough and gives great sound bites, we must carefully examine his past, his business ventures, leadership style, and genuinely wrestle with the question, "Is he qualified to be the next president?"
Ironically, many who criticized President Barack Obama for delivering great speeches, giving good sound bites, but not having much substance and lacking the experience and leadership qualifications to be president are overlooking the same things in Donald Trump.
Trump believes he can use the bully pulpit to shape America's future. It appears he will also use that leadership style in dealing with foreign leaders and nations. That will not work.
As a business man, Donald Trump controlled people's paychecks and jobs. He could fire them at any time. The government does not operate that way. American government is run on the will of the people through representation and moves forward with a president who can lead--not bully.
Evangelicals should not be fooled
Support for Trump among evangelicals, especially endorsements from Christian leaders, during the current Republican Primaries has been very troubling.
The Republican Primaries have been very revealing of the state of Christianity in America. How can anyone in good biblical conscience support Donald Trump?
If we view this election through the eyes of the Gospel, it should be evident that Trump's actions, morality, comments, and life are in opposition to the Christian life. During the primaries, Trump has shown himself to be a bully, rude, prideful, sexist, racist, and very disrespectful. These are not only poor qualities for followers of Jesus. This is poor behavior for the president of the United States of America.
Trump has said repeatedly that he is a good Christian. However, in an interview last July with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Trump said, "Why do I have to repent or ask for forgiveness, if I am not making mistakes? I work hard, I'm an honrable person."
Last month, CNN's Jake Tapper asked Trump if he regrets making those statements. Trump responded, "No, I have a great relationship with God.... I like to be good. I don't like to have to ask for forgiveness."
Repentance and forgiveness are vital in becoming a follower of Jesus.
Romans 3:23 says that we "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." 1 John 1:8 also points out that "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 Peter 2:9 says that in order for us to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, we all "should reach repentance."
Admitting that we are sinners who fall short of God's expectations and need God's forgiveness of sin is our first step toward following Jesus. Ephesians 1:7 says "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our tresspasses, according to the riches of his grace...."
When we truly come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, everything changes--we are a new creation. Jesus said that if we abide in Christ, we will bear much fruit and that others will recognize we are his by the fruit our lives produce.
Some say they separate the Gospel from politics or the way they vote. The reality is that the Gospel should impact all of our lives--including politics, the way we vote, and who we vote for.
If anything, this election year reveals the real state of Christianity in America. We are weak, we have compromised, we have taken our eyes off Jesus. For too long, we have not trusted Jesus like we should.
Jesus told the Church in Sardis (Revelation 3:2) to wake up and strengthen what remains because they were about to die. Could that be the church in America? Where are we compromising? Will we commit to waking up and strengthening what remains?
Jesus went on to challenge the Church in Sardis, "Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent." (Revelation 3:3) The same challenge applies to all of us who belong to the church in America.
Be Kingdom citizens while understanding that our hope is not in this world
What does that mean?
"And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the father through Him." -Colossians 3:17
Christians, we must not place our hope in the world. At the same time, we are not called to bury our heads in the sand. We are called to be Kingdom citizens here on this earth. We must do all things for the glory of God--go out and vote, get involved with the political process, work hard, do your job with excellence, study hard, get married, raise a family, play sports, be successful.
During our time here on this earth, our focus needs to be on Jesus and doing everything for His glory. Jesus is the only true answer for this world. No president or political party can give you eternall security, eternal hope and eternal life. Only Jesus can.
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." -Proverbs 20:7
So place all your faith in Him. Live in such a way that people will know Jesus is the only true answer in this world. Share with those around you the hope we have in Jesus and how people can have a relationship with God through Him.
"...if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." -Romans 10:9
As you take time to examine the candidates and vote, do that through the lens of the Gospel. Do not be fooled.
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