O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. Dan 9:8
November 14, 2020
Confusion of Face
This is a very confusing time for believers and nonbelievers because neither understands the other in respect to the presidential election. The religious right believes they voted for Christ and His causes and they have struggled to understand why their efforts failed. They had done everything within their power to prevail and only God, Himself, could deny their efforts. Those that were on the left, believers and nonbelievers, cannot understand why the religious right could not see that Trump was wrong. I fit in a very precarious position in the midst of both positions. I also believe that it is Christ’s position because the word of God does not fully support either position: one supporting blatant lies and the other supporting late term abortions.
As a Christian, I believe in many of the same principles as the religious right regarding maintaining Christian values; however, it is their methods and attitudes that have troubled me. I also believe that Trump was terribly wrong for the presidential office because his motivations are wrong, and his speech and behavior makes him a terrible role model and example for men and youth. “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them (Eph 5:5, 7, 11).” Religious people who identify with Jesus Christ should know and choose to do that which is right. When people claim Jesus and do the opposite of what He said, they cannot be His followers. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me…( Joh 10:27).” We have seen Republicans claim to be Christians and yet choose to align themselves with people and groups who publicly oppose truth and spout hate. True Christians are those who try to maintain a Christian witness and would not want to be condemned with the world.
Good or Bad Fruit on the Tree
The truth is that Christ did not leave us without help in discerning good from evil. The Word of God and the Holy Spirit provides help for discernment. Jesus taught us to examine a person’s fruit because a tree’s fruit reveals what kind of tree it is. The word fruit refers to the outward appearance, mannerisms and actions of a person that reveal whether he or she is motivated by good or evil forces. Despite the good that the religious right claimed that Trump did, his speech, behavior and mannerism never changed from proving bad fruit. Jesus went on to say, “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit (Mat 12:33)”. We all had advance knowledge of the confessed and reported bad behavior of the candidate for president but the religious right supported him for the highest office in the land anyway. They lifted up him, his ways and ideas to lead and influence our nation. Our highest offices are modeled after the virtuous leadership of Moses and the Father, where we are told to obey “…all that are in authority…” (1Ti 2:2). God would not call upon us to model after or submit to a spirit contrary to His, but some people of religious right have condemned believers for not supporting this president. This presidential administration has been exposed as liars, thieves and traitors to the national good; but the religious right have continued to support them, jeopardizing the nation’s security. All of the negative characteristics (fruits) were regarded as insignificant as they pursued their goal of helping God protect Israel while empowering themselves and uniting around goals of white supremacy and nationalism. They helped cause rather than alleviate division and confusion.
Test Of A Good Leader
Let’s look at God’s method and process in selecting the best candidate for high office.
And he [Samuel] sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. 1Sa 16:5-12
This story reveals God’s preferred way of choosing a leader. He did not choose the oldest, largest or tallest. David’s looks were mentioned but he was not chosen because of his looks. David revealed his leadership qualities to King Saul in 1Sa 17:34, 35, 37
And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. …The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.
David qualified for service because of a proper heart with proven leadership and faith in God. David had a relationship with God and God was with him. This was not true of his brothers who appeared more qualified than their little brother. The story shows that God does consider character and David was anointed as king based on his already established character present even in childhood. Other stories tell of God’s rejection of servants on issues of character. King Saul, proven disobedient and of poor character, was disqualified to continue as King; and the sons of Eli and Samuel were refused office based on character. If God made character a necessary qualification for high office, surely we should as well. The character flaws in this administration have jeopardized the security and reputation of the nation. Jesus Christ came and displayed perfect character: honest, obedient, faithful, loving, caring and diligent in the work.
A Leader’s Effect on the People
Poor leadership character affects a nation, ergo the saying a fish rots from the head down. The Old Testament revealed many examples of how the leader’s sin caused the people to suffer. David appealed to God to spare the people the repercussions of his sin (2Sa 24:17). In the New Testament, every person is judged and punished for his own sin but a leader’s sin still impacts the people. We see Jesus in His final words on the cross stating that he had sanctified Himself so that the people were sanctified through His words. The people should enjoy the favor of God upon the leader as was the case in David’s kingdom.
This president was lifted to a place of idolatry as some people acquainted him with biblical spiritual significance even though he rarely attended church. The president believed he was his own best counsel and displayed a spirit of arrogance as he opposed expert counsel. Idolatry means giving to man or some other thing that which belongs only to God. God always pulls down idolatry. Celebrity preachers were relating to Trump as God’s man and Trump basked in the compliments and grew in authoritarianism. America provided a wrong witness to the world of Christianity and democracy. Impressions were made on young minds that cannot be undone.
Lies were being substituted for truth and witnessed by “Christians.” Religious leaders were proclaiming, backing up and fulfilling their own prophesies. The president was supported by churches that failed to prepare their people; and when trouble came, the government supported these churches with financial resources while neglecting the suffering of the people. How is it possible for the real church be fooled by false leaders? The bible tells of a time of church apostasy that would lead into a time of the anti-Christ deception, judgment and the coming of the Lord. The Christian church has grown worldly and changed the word of God into a smooth gospel that soothes rather than convicts. Bible scripture warned us about these times and Jesus and his disciples left us important messages to consider:
Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees [religious leaders]. How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Mat 16:6-12
1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
God set the earth in order after a chaotic stage and charged the church to maintain godly order. Christ equipped the church to be able to stand against evil, but the church has gotten distracted. The church must realize her error and make corrections. Christians must agree with the word and come into agreement with each other. Our nation with a great entrepreneurial spirit is used to establishing its own systems; but we cannot change the bible to suit our own preferences and expect God to support it. The Word of God is established for all eternity. God, the Father, validated and announced His approval of Christ at very important stages of His ministry and still validates His disciples that walk in truth, while denouncing the lie and liars. “Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity (Psa 94:16)? God stands with those that stand up for truth. This battle has challenged and divided the Christian community but we can still learn from it and do better.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Joh 13:35
Truth and Life Ministries of Christ with Apostle Joyce Reba Payne 