My Faith Compels Me to Vote Red

Once again, we are in the midst of an election that is becoming more contentious than in 2016. As previously stated in this blog, I vote for Republican candidates because that party’s platform is more in line with Judeo-Christian values. Nevertheless, I have a few friends and relatives who vote for Democrats. I won’t belittle their convictions but question how professing believers can support policies that go against God’s word.

There’s a meme circulating online by progressive Christians titled “My Faith Compels Me to Vote Blue.” Here’s my response to all their listed reasons…

“Refugees and immigrants should be fully welcomed.” I’m okay with foreigners moving to America if they do so legally and assimilate as law-abiding citizens. I don’t agree with letting just anyone cross our borders. Would you welcome a stranger into your home without knowing his intentions? What if that stranger wanted to rob you or cause harm to your family?

“All people deserve access to affordable healthcare.” I agree medical costs could be less expensive. However, I believe in divine healing and see a doctor only when necessary. 2 Chronicles 16:12 says, “And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians.”

“Women should have autonomy over their own bodies.” What about the bodies of unborn children inside pregnant women? Shouldn’t they have a right to live? Instead of encouraging abortion, those babies can live by promoting adoption as an alternative.

“Every race and gender and orientation deserves respect.” The Bible forbids homosexuality and transvestism. Christians can share the love of Jesus with those practicing immoral lifestyles without condoning them. Romans 1:32 warns, “…who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

“Mass incarceration and the death penalty are not pro-life.” Our prison system could use some improvements. However, the Bible calls for capital punishment upon those who commit murder. Genesis 9:6 says, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.” It’s contradictory for pro-choice advocates to say a woman can murder her innocent unborn child but then claim the death penalty is wrong.

“The planet and atmosphere are our responsibility to care for.” I agree man should be good stewards of the earth’s resources. However, Christians should be more concerned with people’s eternal destinies. The only thing we can take to heaven with us is souls. God will someday renovate this world with fire. (see 2 Peter 3:10)

“All faith traditions are equally valid.” Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Christians shouldn’t be preaching doctrines that discourage people from getting born again. Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew 15:6, “Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.”

“Poverty and hunger are unacceptable.” When doing street ministry, I go out of my way to offer food and then the gospel to homeless people. Sadly, some individuals are poor and hungry because they choose to be. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 commands, "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” Christians shouldn’t endorse government programs that promote welfare over employment.

“Black lives matter.” So do the lives of Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, and Caucasians. Acts 17:26 says, “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth…”

“God is not a straight, white republican man.” I happen to be one. Thankfully, my God is willing to forgive everyone regardless of their race or political beliefs. “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

A Facebook friend found the “Vote Blue” meme posted on a page honoring Jimmy Carter. The 39th President of the United States professed faith in Jesus and even taught a Sunday school class. Ever since he left the White House four decades ago, the Democratic party has radically changed. Their increasingly socialistic policies go against what the founding fathers intended for this country. References to God have been removed from their party platform. 

My faith compels me to vote red. 

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” - Deuteronomy 30:19

A Ride on the Trump Train

Recently I got to see the President of the United States in person for the first time. My friend John and I attended the Evangelicals for Trump rally at King Jesus church in Miami, Florida. A few days before I kept perceiving the Lord wanted me to go to Miami but didn’t know why. Then shortly after Christmas, John called me from his home in the Washington, DC area. He asked about staying with me at the missionary house I’ve been living in Tampa. I had goosebumps when John mentioned going to Miami after that. Soon I learned Donald Trump was having a rally there on January 3rd.

Originally I thought of riding with John without going to the rally. I had it on my heart to evangelize on the streets of Miami. John attended previous Trump rallies where people stood in line for hours with no guarantee they would get inside. But on our way through Southern Florida, I felt more of a stirring to be at the rally. During pit stops at McDonald’s I got to lead three people to the Lord (and later had a fourth at 7/11 on the way home).

We arrived at the church around 10:45 a.m. To our surprise, the line wasn’t as long as John and I expected. Worship music playing on an outside sound system helped maintain a godly atmosphere and probably kept extra protesters away. There was one man I encountered holding signs listing the Ten Commandments and his claim that Trump is not a Christian. I felt led to tell him, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.”

John and I fellowshipped with people in line around us. One of them named Jose was a member of the church. He told us they would start letting people in at 2:00 p.m. The line began moving earlier than that. Of course, getting inside took awhile since Secret Service agents had us empty our pockets and walk through metal detectors. John and I eventually got seats in the twelfth row. I thought this was symbolic since the number 12 in Scripture refers to government (like the twelve tribes of Israel).

Around 3:30 a worship band played three songs. The first of which was appropriately titled “Freedom.” Then the same recorded music heard outside played again for several minutes. Meanwhile, many well-known Christian leaders and musicians showed up and took seats in front of us. Among those we recognized were Robert Jeffress, John Hagee, Rod Parsley, Rodney Howard-Browne, Michael Tait, Jonathan Cain and Stephen Strang from Charisma magazine.

Sometime after 4:00, Pastor Guillermo Maldonado opened the ceremony with an anointed prayer. Tony Perkins from the Family Research Council followed with a few remarks. Then Paula White-Cain emerged to introduce the president. The announced start time was 5:00 but Donald Trump appeared 15 minutes early. Paula invited seven other people onstage to join her in surrounding Trump as they prayed for him. Jentezen Franklin led the prayer followed by Maldonado.

During a speech that lasted over an hour, the President addressed various political issues but talked at length about his support for Israel and maintaining religious freedom. Before closing, Trump invited two pairs of women to speak from the podium. The first two were students at Fresno State University where they encountered persecution for promoting pro-life ideas. Among the other two was an African-American woman that nearly stole the show. Angel talked about the president assisting her in helping those devastated by a hurricane that struck the Florida panhandle. This woman also chastised the media’s skewed reporting of the president while they were filming several feet away.

Aside from perhaps Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” (which has become an anthem for patriotic Americans), the only secular song heard throughout this event was The Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” This continues to be Trump’s play-out tune. Robert Jeffress ended the rally with a closing prayer.

Despite the recent impeachment by the House of Representatives (which likely won’t get past the Republican-controlled Senate), it was encouraging to see Christians of different races and denominations unified to support a president who cares for the welfare of this country. Critics may think Trump’s supporters have blind allegiance to him. On the contrary. A few people wore T-shirts that simply stated our beliefs as American Christians: “Jesus is my Savior. Trump is my President.”

“Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” - 1 Peter 2:17

A Moral Problem

Matt Post at the Capitol

Last month’s school shooting in Parkland, Florida that killed 17 people has not only triggered more calls for gun control but students leaving classes in protest. As part of the nationwide walkouts this past Wednesday, students gave speeches outside the U.S. Capitol alongside Democratic lawmakers. A video of the speech made by Matthew Post (no relation to me) has gone viral. This high school senior from Maryland declared, “We have a moral problem in this country…The adults have failed us. This is in our hands now. And if any elected official gets in our way, we will vote them out.”

I can sympathize with Matt’s anger and frustration but don’t agree with how he and others like him are reacting. Matt threatened to “shame our national policy leaders into protecting us.” No politician is perfect but we are supposed to honor and pray for those in authority. Many young people nowadays don’t respect their elders.

Voting out certain elected officials is a good idea. I would start with those that stood with Matt on the Capitol steps. Politicians wanting to tamper with the Second Amendment are hypocrites for having armed personnel protecting them. School shootings won’t cease if comprehensive gun control legislation is implemented. The city of Chicago has toughened their gun laws but the murder rate there has actually increased.

Terrorists have found ways to kill people without using guns. After the 9/11 attacks in 2001, we didn’t hear proposals to outlaw airplanes. When two brothers killed and maimed multitudes at the Boston Marathon five years ago, we didn’t see protestors calling for a ban on pressure cookers. Many teens still die from texting while driving even though it’s illegal in most states. I haven’t heard any of their friends and loved ones advocating the elimination of cell phones (although a few fanatics want to get rid of cars).

Yes, Matt. I agree adults have failed you. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Ever since prayer and Bible reading were removed from American classrooms generations ago, we’ve seen an increase in crime, drug usage, and out-of-wedlock births. Homosexuality and gender transition are now taught in our schools as normal behaviors. God-fearing individuals who won’t condone these things are labelled as “haters.”

On the same day Matt gave his speech outside the Capitol, he posted on Twitter: “We’re going to keep marching. We’re going to vote. And we, the youth, are going to bring morality to this country’s politics.” Matt, I hope you do. You seem like a bright young man who has the potential of making a greater impact on our nation. But preaching morality without repentance won’t bring lasting change. It’s like putting a Band-Aid on cancer.

The real moral problem is sin. The solution is knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and planting the incorruptible seed of God’s word in the human heart. When people become born again, they have the supernatural ability to obey His commandments including "Thou shalt not kill."

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” - Proverbs 16:25

An Open Letter to Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

Dear Mr. Jeffries,

I was going to email this directly to you but your website allows that only from citizens within your district (I’m registered to vote in Virginia). That’s why this is an open letter.

I’m a traveling missionary who previously pursued a music career and still keeps an eye on what’s going on with the recording industry. Nowadays, I follow politics more closely. I believe it’s important for Americans to know what their leaders in Washington are doing. Every day I pray for politicians like yourself to make wise decisions that will benefit our nation.

Last week you commemorated the 20th anniversary of The Notorious B.I.G.’s death by displaying a picture of him on the House floor and claimed his life was “the classic embodiment of the American dream.” I can relate to you being a fan of the slain rapper since he came from your hometown of Brooklyn. For most of my life, I lived in Minnesota and grew to admire the success of Prince. Still, I never cared for the explicit lyrics in some of his songs, which are rather tame compared to what many rappers have uttered over the last three decades.  

I read online that you are a member of a fellowship called Cornerstone Baptist Church. Therefore, you’ve likely heard the gospel and hopefully received salvation. If so, then as a brother in Christ I need to remind you Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” I also read that you have two teenage sons. Do you encourage them to listen to performers like The Notorious B.I.G. whose profanity-filled lyrics glorify ungodly living? As an elected official, can you really honor a man who went to jail many times for violence and drug dealing?

My intent is not to come across as self-righteous or condemning. None of us are perfect and deserve to go to heaven. I do hope The Notorious B.I.G. got right with the Lord before he was gunned down. Either way, I pray that in the future you will carefully think about the example you’re setting for future generations by choosing to honor individuals who are making a positive difference in this life and for eternity.

Sincerely, 

Todd R. Post

Bravo Brother Bentley

Shortly after being sworn in as the new governor of Alabama, Robert Bentley spoke at a local Baptist church. The following comments he made there caused a stir in the media…

“There may be some people here today who do not have living within them the Holy Spirit. But if you have been adopted in God's family like I have, and like you have if you're a Christian and if you're saved, and the Holy Spirit lives within you just like the Holy Spirit lives within me, then you know what that makes? It makes you and me brothers. And it makes you and me brother and sister.”

Bentley then stated, “Now I will have to say that, if we don't have the same daddy, we're not brothers and sisters. So anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I'm telling you, you're not my brother and you're not my sister, and I want to be your brother.”

Not surprisingly, the secular press had a field day with the governor’s remarks. One reporter wrote, “Elected officials should not be perpetuating prejudices.” As a result, Governor Bentley issued an apology two days later. Among the things he said was, “If anyone from other religions felt disenfranchised by the language, I want to say I am sorry. I am sorry if I offended anyone in any way.”

I don’t think Robert Bentley needed to apologize at all. He was making an appeal for salvation inside a church and not the governor’s mansion. Notice Robert told the non-Christians, “I want to be your brother.” That’s the heart of an evangelist. The gospel message will always be offensive to those who refuse to accept it.

Since Robert Bentley is a public official representing all the people of Alabama, perhaps he could have taken the time to clarify the definition of Christian brotherhood. Jesus did that in Luke chapter 8…

19 Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd.

20 And it was told Him by some, who said, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.”

21 But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”

At the same time, Christians should always act Christ-like toward every human being whether they are saved or not. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), Jesus lauded the Samaritan as the “true neighbor” to the man in need, not the Jewish priest who ignored him. Galatians 6:10 says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

In this age of political correctness, it’s encouraging to see authorities like Robert Bentley speaking openly and boldly about their faith in Jesus. Let’s pray that God will give the governor and other born again leaders wisdom to communicate the gospel in ways that will produce more brothers and sisters in Christ.

“Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”

- 1 Peter 2:17