Lesser of Two Evils

I have been receiving messages on Facebook, constantly reading Christian views on what they feel I’m required as a believer to do, or having people start conversations as to why I must vote a certain way. The fate of the world is hinged on this election. I opt out of their conversations. Yet the closer we get to Nov 8, the more I hear from others that I must cast my vote for Trump to protect the 2^nd amendment or free speech or state’s rights. Please someone get a copy of an 8^th grade civics book to find out what measures one has to take to change an amendment. As to religious leaders being worried about losing their tax exempt status if they say the “wrong” thing, try preaching the kingdom and see if that produces different results. Quit trying to align yourselves with people of power no matter who they are. Come out from among these people who will say anything to get your support, and be separate. (more on this in a future post) When I tell the few people I share my views with that I am writing in a candidate,  I’m harshly met with how I will be responsible for the future balance of the Supreme Court.  You’re trying to put that on me? When that clown car drove up to the circus tent and they kept getting out, you had 16 choices. But the 17^th clown got out and he was the one with the bucket, threatening to throw water on everyone. You all laughed. But it turned out to be toxic waste. And instead of being horrified, you followed him and ate up every horrible thing he said and did.

Now you say I must choose the lesser of two evils, and for evangelicals, that is Trump. That’s not scriptural. Duet 30:19 says, “I set before you life and death, choose life.” Josh 25:15 says “choose who you will serve. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” Gal 6:8 says “sow to the flesh and reap corruption or to the Spirit and reap eternal life.” We can follow Christ or not. We can believe or not. We are not to believe that choosing the lesser of two evils is right. Rom 3:8 says, “And why do evil that good may come from it as people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.” And it says in 1Thess 5:22, “we are to abstain from every form of evil.” I cannot profess one thing and follow another path set by man. I have enough trouble doing what is right to consciously follow a lie.

Please do not mistake this for a partisan rant. I’m an independent and always have been. I supported both Reagan and Bush41. I try to follow what I believe is right and I am in deep prayer on this. But when those who identify themselves as Christians and support a person who denigrates a war hero like Senator McCain, or a hero who died for this country but happened to be of the wrong faith according to some, who encourages violence, is comfortable maligning anyone who disagrees with him, is racist, hateful, arrogant, xenophobic, has a history of cheating contractors he agreed to pay, refuses to commit himself to learning what is necessary to know as a leader of the U.S. , or has the temperament of a spoiled brat, then you need to step away from a person like that. And though politicians are known for lying, he has made it a new art form. But even with all of this, his treatment of women from things he has been heard saying, to name calling, to threatening to sue those who have testified publically to what they said he did, to a lascivious look at a little girl and saying he’d be dating her in ten years, is more than I can stomach. I’d rather see the Republican party implode and learn from its mistakes.

A pastor I know wrote, “We the church have a much higher call than one presidential election. We have to stand for righteousness no matter the cost.” He also asked, “Church, what happens if you gain the Supreme Court but lose your soul?” I know this is a troubling time, but we still have to show who we are in Christ. The Lord said through his prophet Micah in 6:8, “What does the Lord require of you but that you do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with the Lord your God.” We have to follow His precepts no matter what is going on around us. Trust Him no matter the intensity of the storm. Just like Abraham, “contrary to hope, in hope he believed.” Blessings.