Regarding Trump: Christians, Be Careful To Not Be Stumbling Blocks
For the last 3 years it has been extremely saddening witnessing the testimony of Christians, the American Church, and Jesus Christ being negatively impacted because of it’s correlation with President Trump. But you know what’s been worse? The defense of Trump by Christians (especially prominent “Christian” leaders) over the defense of the testimony of Jesus and His Gospel when aligning with the President conflicts with what we claim we believe. And the responses in defense and support of Trump to the latest Christianity Today article on Trump just adds to our public debacle as the Church in America.
If Christians have to choose which to defend, our first priority is to defend Christ’s testimony and the testimony of the Gospel, not President Trump or any other President. I didn’t say a Christian can’t defend or support the President (or any other politician) they voted for. However, as a Christian our first priority is Jesus and His Gospel not politics. This would mean there will be times we should not vocalize our defense or support of the President if and when it‘s a hindrance to the testimony of Jesus and/or His Gospel.
Notice how Scripture addresses what our first priority is:
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10, ESV)
“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.” (Phil. 1:27, NLT)
“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” (Phil. 2:14-15, NLT)
“Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” (2Tim. 2:3-4, ESV)
“13 Therefore, get your minds ready for action by being fully sober, and set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 Like obedient children, do not comply with the evil urges you used to follow in your ignorance, 15 but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct, 16 for it is written, “You shall be holy, because I am holy.” 17 And if you address as Father the one who impartially judges according to each one’s work, live out the time of your temporary residence here in reverence. 18 You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors you were ransomed—not by perishable things like silver or gold, 19 but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, namely Christ.” (1Pet. 1:13-19, NET)
“Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1Pet. 2:12, NASB)
“8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1Pet. 3:8-17, NIV)
“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” (1Jn 1:5-6, NKJV)
It is impossible for a Christian to obey these instructions and implications in Scripture while also defending or supporting the President’s actions and words when they directly contrast our Savior and His message. We are forced to choose one over the other. And when Christians choose to defend or support President Trump over obeying Scripture it is a hindrance to the testimony of Jesus and/or His Gospel, because they demonstrate that the President matters more than their Savior and His good news.
I happened to stumble upon a tweet the same day I was writing this blog-article. It goes to my above point.
Apostle Paul said, “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”” (1Cor. 15:33). Each time Christians support or defend President Trump when his words or actions conflict with the testimony of Jesus and/or His Gospel, we surrender public confidence in our good character to his bad company.
So to those who are witnessing this public behavior of the American Church regarding support and defense of the President at times that would contradict what we claim we believe, allow me to clarify 2 things:
Jesus is Jesus. While His followers are to represent Him, that doesn’t mean they are Him. We will fail. He does not. Jesus is Jesus. Let Jesus stand or fall by what He’s done not what we do or don’t do.
The Gospel of Jesus is His Gospel. While His followers are to proclaim and demonstrate His Gospel, our lack of doing so nor our poor behavior and decisions have any bearing on His Gospel and the reality that follows it—eternal life or death. Let Jesus’ truth stand or fall by what He’s done not what we do or don’t do.
Christians, your attitude, choices, and actions are the 3rd biggest stumbling block* to unbelievers seeing Jesus and His Gospel. Re-read that sentence and insert your name in place of ‘Christians’. Then see below how unbelievers view our contradictory behavior as fuel for their rejection of Jesus and His Gospel.
Christians, this is why Paul said what he said in Eph. 5:15-17,
“Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is.” (NET)
It is wise and winsome that we obey Scripture and trust God with the results.
Take your relationship with Jesus and how you represent Jesus very seriously, because what you say and do can either be a stumbling block for someone seeing Jesus or an invitation for someone to come to Jesus. Remember, there will be times we should not vocalize our defense or support of the President if and when it‘s a hindrance to the testimony of Jesus and/or His Gospel. Jesus and His good news is to always be our only choice for the greater good.
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*1. Sin is the first stumbling block. Satan and his host are the second stumbling block. That leaves us as the third stumbling block.