性视界传媒淛esus was convicted in a sham trial ... and crucified. I still follow him.性视界传媒 My wife saw this social media post and immediately responded: 性视界传媒淧lease don性视界传媒檛 compare Trump to Jesus!性视界传媒
I was grateful for that visceral response and thanked her. How can someone compare former President Donald Trump to Christ, who is described as 性视界传媒渉oly, harmless and undefiled, and our 性视界传媒淟ord and Savior性视界传媒 in the New Testament? Certainly we can contrast, but compare and follow? No!
It may be reasonable to believe that some prejudice and possibly sinister designs of the other party were involved in promoting the prosecution of Trump. However, has the whole judicial system failed? No. What about the 12 jurors? Was not the former president given an opportunity to testify in his defense?
Have we forgotten the occasion for this debacle 性视界传媒 an adulterous relationship with a porn star while a third wife is at home with their child? Furthermore, if Trump did in fact make false sworn statements, it is not only criminal, but morally wrong.
The contrast increases when one remembers that Jesus did not revile when he was reviled, nor threaten when he suffered unrighteously (1 Peter 2:23). Reviling, intimidating and threatening is pretty much all Trump has done during the trial.
There is no humility, no repentance, not even remorse that his own misconduct and poor judgment brought these things upon himself and us.
When President Bill Clinton性视界传媒檚 scandalous and adulterous sexual conduct came to light, Republicans quickly condemned his conduct. Character mattered then, it seemed. On further reflection though, maybe it did not. It was probably just politically expedient.
There is something rotten and idolatrous in the intense partisan loyalty we are witnessing. Loyalty to one性视界传媒檚 team leader and having dominion over the other has become more important than character and commitment to truth and justice 性视界传媒 and healing our land.
How a Christian can use such an ill-conceived comparison of following Christ as a disciple to following Trump is mind boggling. It happens, though, when zeal supplants wisdom.
King Solomon, renown for his wisdom, asserts in Proverbs the truth that God mysteriously imparts wisdom to those in authority, enabling them to govern justly and righteously. Solomon describes wisdom as a woman who makes the astounding claim that 性视界传媒淏y me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly.性视界传媒 (8:15-16).
Wisdom says of herself that 性视界传媒淎ll the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them性视界传媒 and that 性视界传媒淧ride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate性视界传媒 (8:8,13).
Candidates or leaders who are arrogant and commonly use perverse, vitriolic and demeaning speech demonstrate that wisdom is not their close friend.
Patterns of conduct and particularly speech reveal character. Jesus said, 性视界传媒渨hat comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart性视界传媒.性视界传媒
None of our presidential candidates are perfect; no mere human is. We have all sinned against God and one another. However, this is no excuse to throw out the standard for them or for ourselves. Truth, humility and the fear of God are essential to good character and just governance. Without them, governance is tyrannical and leads to chaos.
May God grant us a president that at least has these character qualities. I can differ on some policies and important issues if I have confidence that the candidate appears to be receiving and implementing wisdom性视界传媒檚 counsel, humbly exercising self-control, admitting wrongs and speaking faithfully to heal our nation 性视界传媒 not simply to have temporary dominion over it.
