TRUMPETEERING?

DONALD TRUMP-PETEERING, OR NOT

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Romans [ESV] 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

  Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family and Family Talk, and Pastor Michael Anthony of GodFactor.com report that Donald Trump is now a baby Christian having recently trusted Christ. Pastor Anthony also reports Trump is being ministered to by a number of people.

  E. J. Dionne Jr., nationally syndicated op-ed writer, published in Omaha World-Herald, said “… there is no sure-fire way to know whether what a politician says about his or her belief in God is true.”

  Is Donald Trump authentic in a profession of faith, or is he politically blowing religious horn to gain increase in evangelical voters?

  Not “having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding; perceiving all things”; omniscience; Dictionary.com. . . . I cannot say for certain. I can however turn again to the Word of God for insight and wisdom.

  Jesus explained the helpful fruit test, that which my dear Dad referred to as “Track Record” that he relied on accordingly: "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (ESV Mt.7:13-21)

  Then there is the Apostle Paul’s comment in 1Corinthians 12: “… no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit.” Coupling this with the fact that authentic believers trusting Christ are indwelled with God’s Holy Spirit (Jn.4:23; 1Cor.3:16; 6:19; 2Cor.1:22; Eph.4:30; also note 1Pet.2:5) can be useful as an evaluator.

  However, time is short for those evaluating and deciding who to vote for as our next POTUS. There is very little time to look for new fruit and change in vocabulary, and the reviewing of speeches and public comments by Trump, Clinton, Sanders , or any other lesser candidate for that matter.

  Then there’s the broader lack of omniscience problem had by the followers of Lord Jesus Christ: After the fact knowing about Sovereign Jehovah God’s designation of Saul, David , Solomon, Jeroboam I, Nadab,  Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Tibni, Omri, Ahab, Ahaziah, Joram/Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, Joash, Jeroboam II, Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah, Hoshea, Washington, Adams, Jackson, Carter, Nixon, Kennedy, Clinton, Reagan, Obama -- now Sanders, or Clinton, or a Trump, or _______?

  Still not omniscient but do know for certain that as with Israel and every other nation we will either get exactly what we deserve and/or exactly what we need according to God’s designation.

EBB4

PS. This does not mean not voting at all is an option for Christians for we are commanded to be salt and light within the Master’s great plan (Rom.8:28) and our participation therein shall in the end be judged accordingly by Lord Jesus Christ. (Mt.5:15; Mk.4:21; Lk.11:33; 2Cor.5:10)

PPS. Most of us have observed many candidates in many elections. How many of those professing Christianity have gone beyond saying “God” and declared “Jesus is Lord”?