Choosing Hate or Love
For the month of May I wanted to speak briefly on the power of our words. Recently, President Trump had the third assassination on his life. No matter how we look at things, it is not okay to wish the death of anyone. When we read Paul’s story in the Bible, we read about a man who killed many but went to go on and save many. Imagine if he had been killed before he did what God put him on earth to do.
The reality is no one is beyond redemption. I have become more and more frustrated by people who keep claiming Trump is innocent and a victim in all the rhetoric spoken against him. One of his recent posts stated, “whole civilization will die tonight” in regards to the war in Iran. This is tactless and inciting language talking about a whole group of people - including innocent people dying. We, as believers, are actually called to judge those who also profess our faith. The Bible says we are the leaders and the examples - not those who aren’t believers.
"It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your job to judge those inside the church who are sinning in these ways.”
- 1 Corinthians 5:12
My intention in this post is not to say which political party should be in office, what our stance on a war should be, or who is right. I am saying that the conservative leaders who are claiming Christ and judging those who do not identify him are wrong. God has called them to judge other believers - in this case, Donald Trump.
It is incredibly sad to see people chanting and cheering for a president’s death. I do not wish that on Republican or Democrat. There is a problem when you play the victim - and you have stated the very same type of statements about other people. Go on Donald Trump’s social media and you will see a continual negative rhetoric and stating to boycott those who disagree with him that he doesn’t like. So, why are we surprised when people respond with violence?
There are those who will look and say I am against Trump or conservatives. I am not. The thing I know is the world becomes a better place when Christians hold one another accountable. In recent months, I’ve seen a shift to blaming those who don’t know Christ. I’m not saying that you can’t be a liberal and a Christian. The point I’m making is that I’ve seen a lot of Christian conservatives attacking people who have said they don’t identify with Christ while not holding their leader accountable.
Lastly, I want to encourage you to pray for your president or leader. I prayed for Obama, Biden, and Trump. I’ll pray for the next President as well. I’m a big believer in praying for your leaders - whether or not you agree with them. I also answer to God and know we are called to call out other Believers. So, I ask you - is your speech seasoned with love or hate? Has your speech encouraged others to love or act in violence?
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty".
- 1 Timothy 2:1-2