I have already explained my understanding of what it means to be an American. To me, an American is someone who embraces the principles and ideals upon which this nation was originally founded. This means you must uphold and defend those principles and ideals, but also live them in your daily life. However, as I watch the 2016 Presidential primaries unfold, I find myself wondering more and more where that nation we once called America has gone? Where are her people? How is it that we have gone from a nation that would elect Abraham Lincoln, a man known for his honesty, to fighting over which of two dishonest and known liars will become President. But more than this, how does a nation which still considers itself to be nominally Christian support such people in such overwhelming numbers? I have to confess: I have all but lost faith in my fellow countrymen.
First, if you support Hillary Clinton of Bernie Sanders, then we really don’t have much in common. You might be fun or pleasant to be around, but it is impossible for you to be good — not by any Biblical standards, anyway. Yeah, I know: “The Bible says not to judge!” Well, that’s what I mean: if you do not know Scripture well enough to know that this is not what Jesus said, then how can I expect you to know what Christ said about being ‘good?’ The simple truth is, Hillary is a corrupt liar who has committed treason. If she were anyone else, she would have been imprisoned long ago. And Sanders is a thief by another name. In fact, both of them are: all socialists are. Nothing in Scripture allows for a believer to grant government authority to take another’s property for their personal gain. Whether you do it directly or by government proxy, Scripture calls this theft — and anyone who openly supports unrepentant theft is far from the Lord. So you and I have little to discuss. Scripture teaches that I should keep an agape love for you (and I do), but that I should also separate from you (and I will).
Republicans: you are supposed to be the Party of ‘Conservatism:’ the Party of principle: the Party that still stands for law and order, small government and the Constitution. To the best of my knowledge (and I actually pay attention), Trump has never spoken of the Constitution — not once! In fact, if his actual words are to be any judge, I don’t believe he has even read it — ever! If he has, he certainly doesn’t seem to feel he would be constrained by it in any way should he win the Presidency. Trump has been advocating for the Democrat Party platform, but the GOP continues to vote for him. Exactly how does that work? How does one claim principle while actively supporting a man who is the antithesis of everything your Party is supposed to be?
To those of you ‘Patriots’ who are supporting Donald Trump: what is your definition of an ‘American?!’ Trump is not a ‘Conservative.’ He is a Progressive through and through. Policy wise, there is little difference between him and Hillary or Bernie Sanders. Either of the three will give us the same result. Trump is doing the same thing Obama did: he is repeating a snappy little slogan and promising the moon without ever explaining what he really means or how he will achieve his promises. Many of you viciously attacked Obama supporters for doing this — and rightly so. But now you are acting like Obama drones, only on the other side of the coin. How do you not see this? Or don’t you even care anymore?
Finally, and most painful of all, to you Christians who are supporting Trump: you have lost your way! I can say this with absolute certainty; with the certainty of Jeremiah when he warned Israel of God’s impending judgment. And I can do it because it is not me who testifies against you, but you who testifies against yourself by ignoring Scripture.
Trump said he has never asked Go for forgiveness because he is ‘good’ and has no need of forgiveness. Well, if you were not ignorant of or willfully ignoring God’s Word, then you would know that no one can be saved without admitting they are a sinner and asking God for forgiveness. And if you are not saved, then you are not of God — period! But you would also know why this applies to trump. Taking Trump’s own words and holding them up against God’s Word, you will find that no one is good except for God:
18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.
and this is because all have sinned:
23 for all [a]have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
So, whether he realizes it or not, by claiming he has no need to ask God for forgiveness, Trump is claiming he is perfect, which is the same as claiming he is God. A believer who knows the Word of the Lord would understand that this places Trump squarely in the condemnation of 2 Thessalonians 2.
But I do not condemn anyone. I understand that God’s people perish for want of knowledge, and how are the sheep to be condemned when the shepherds are the ones leading them astray? Trump is running a political add in which a well known Christian leader quotes Scripture in support of Trump. He cites Matthew 7:16:
16 You will [a]know them by their fruits.
How it pains me to hear this ad — because this ‘leader’ of God’s people purposely miss-quotes God’s Word for his own purposes. The entire passage he cites is:
Matthew 7:15-20
A Tree and Its Fruit
15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will [a]know them by their fruits. [b]Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will [c]know them by their fruits.
The passage warns against the ‘leader’ in Trumps add, as well as Trump. It teaches us to beware of false prophets, but the principle applies equally to those claiming to be teachers. Scripture tells us to test everything against God’s Word, and if we did so, we would see that trump is clearly a bad tree — and his ‘fruits’ testify to this fact. Mr. Trump’s history is not a secret. He is an adulterer. He has used the law to steal $billions from his debtors and investors. He bears false witness. He covets — especially money. And he deceives. Do you know what Jesus said about people who produce this sort of fruit? He said that those who deceive are children of Satan.
But this supposed ‘Christian leader’ also claimed that, when we vote, we are not electing a Christian, but a President: a leader of the nation. Again, this ‘leader’ leads God’s people astray with his words. God’s Word repeatedly teaches that, when we chose people to represent us, we are to chose God-fearing people who know God’s Word and walk up-right before God (i.e. who live their faith). So I do not understand how this ‘Christian leader’ could support Trump, let alone lead God’s people to join him.
Still, Scripture does not excuse us as individuals. We are expected to know God’s Word. In part, so we can tell if and when our leaders start to teach us falsely, or to lead us astray. We will be judged individually, so we must know God’s Word — so we can guard ourselves against stumbling. Which leads me to the primary reason for my dismay and sorrow. None of us are perfect. We should all understand this. But some are closer to living a life according to God’s Word than others. So, how is it that so many in this nation claim to love God and love the rule of law and the Constitution, yet, when they are presented with a candidate whose life actually shows a consistent history of living a Godly life and fighting to uphold the law, instead of supporting him, we support the godless and lawless among us? If you do not know Scripture, this may not mean anything to you, but when I see so may of those who call themselves my brother and sister in Christ supporting the likes of Clinton, Sanders and Trump, all I hear is:
“We want Barabbas! Give us Barabbas!”
But this is also where I find my greatest peace: in knowing that then, as now, God has it all under control. So I can rest assuredly knowing that it is His will — and not mine — that must be done! I just ask Him for the serenity to accept and endure whatever He has planned…
[NOTE: I no longer think of my voice as anything special. There was a time when I believed I had something important to say, but not so much these days. I write now because I feel driven to do so. Something inside me will not let me rest until I post the pages you just read. I’d just as soon not bother anymore. It all seems like no one is listening and I do more harm than good. So I have come to trust that whatever it is driving me has all this under control. Personally, I believe it is God, but others may not. All I ask is that, if anything I write helps you, or you think it might help others in any way, please, share this page. Re-blog it, share it on FB or send the link to your friends. So long as you feel it will do more good than harm, then please, use this page however you wish. Thank you.]
The Oil for Your Lamp 
As a nation we have not only fallen into the worst kinds of sin we are guilty of wallowing in it like pigs in mud . God is going to judge us and we will get the ruler we deserve just as Israel was ruled by and influenced by her kings . As watchmen we need to warn others about the sword that is about to fall on this nation because of our disregard for God and His judgment for our sin . We will get the ruler we deserve and remember the scripture says the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord . A wicked ruler will only hasten our fall and the judgment to come . Pray for repentance .
Amen, brother, amen 😦
We are both preaching to the choir but just like Jeremiah we need to keep speaking the truth and sounding a warning even if no one seems to listen . You have the gift of writing while I do not . I need you to keep up the good work and I will do my best to share truth when I get the chance .
2 Peter 3:3-4
Wow! I cannot tell you just how much you have blessed me with your words — and encouraged me. All I can tell you is that you are the second witness the Lord has used to deliver this same exact message to me, and we know what it means when the Lord sends two or more witnesses. Thanks you, brother — just thank you.
“And Sanders is a thief by another name. In fact, both of them are: all socialists are. Nothing in Scripture allows for a believer to grant government authority to take another’s property for their personal gain. Whether you do it directly or by government proxy, Scripture calls this theft — and anyone who openly supports unrepentant theft is far from the Lord”
Amen brother. If only more understood these Truths. Keep on speaking and writing, as it is the only way others might hear Truth.