By David Ettinger
The Reality
Let’s face it, about half the country hates President Trump. Okay, now what? We’ve been living with this reality for the past 3+ years. It’s only going to get worse.
With the hatred, exhibiting this hatred has been getting more excessive, particularly on social media and TV, where liberal news stations love mocking the President and his followers.
I find these displays of animosity amusing, and don’t give them much heed. People in America are allowed to express their opinions, and no one should be surprised when those with opposing views criticize, and even hate, officials on the other side of the political spectrum.
Christian Venting
What does bother me, however, is seeing my social-media friends getting so upset about it. I can’t understand why people I know to be evangelical Christians who truly love the Lord Jesus Christ get so worked up over anti-President Trump remarks.
In the same vein, I couldn’t understand why these same believers would sling so much venom at his predecessor, Barack Obama. Yes, I too was against the great majority of his policies, but rather than condemn, I chose to obey Scripture, that believers should be praying for their political leaders, no matter who they are.
Here are three verses in particular:
- “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
- “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17).
- “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1).
Please be aware that the ruling power at the time these verses were written was Rome, which was killing Christians. I took these verses to heart and made the very active decision to pray for then-President Obama rather than hurl fury and hatred at him. I chose to pray for his salvation and leave it at that. It saved me a lot of churning in my stomach. And besides, President Obama wasn’t killing Christians.
Missing the Point
Now three years into his presidency, President Trump continues to receive the same kind of vitriol from unbelievers which many Christians heaped upon President Obama. And it’s all so senseless. Why is it so senseless? Because it’s politics. Nothing more. Politics is “nothing more” because politics can’t save the souls of lost human beings.
And this is where Christians are missing the point. Because life is eternal – that is, extending everlastingly following this short time of Earth – we are to be thinking eternally, especially when it comes to the souls of men and women.
What does it matter if you win arguments against liberals and convince them that conservatism is right, abortion and the gay lifestyle are wrong, and that the Republican way of spending is much more fiscally sound, but never touch issues of the soul?
So what if you can turn every unbeliever you know into a supporter of President Trump while at the same time never delving into spiritual issues. If this is the case, you’ve accomplished nothing.
What it’s All About
For believers, it’s all about salvation – that is, telling a lost and dying world that though they are perishing in their sins, there is a way out, a way of salvation. God the Father sent God the Son – the Lord Jesus Christ – into the world to die for their sins. If they accept Jesus’ atonement for their sin, they will have eternal life in paradise. If not, they will have eternal existence in flames.
It’s that simple. So what, Christian, if people hate President Trump. This does not affect their souls. Hating or loving the Lord Jesus Christ – that’s what it’s all about!
EttingerWriting.com 
Bruce
January 31, 2020
Hi David, thank you for stating this. Blessings.
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dettinger47
January 31, 2020
Blessings to you as well, Bruce.
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vicklea
January 31, 2020
Amen! It’s all about Jesus! I’m re-blogging because the vitriol may get worse in the next few days and I would like more people to pause and think.
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dettinger47
January 31, 2020
Thank you for the re-blog, Vickie, and I absolutely agree with you about the potential increased vitriol.
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Angel at Watchyourlifeinpictures
January 31, 2020
I don’t think half hates him. I think the media would like us to think that.
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dettinger47
January 31, 2020
You may be right about that. I think I was looking more along voting lines, but regarding actual emotions of the general populace, I’d lean to your point of view. Much thanks!
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Lisa Beth
January 31, 2020
Good and timely post. I agree with Angel, the “haters” have a lot of media spin and are bolstered by disgruntled billion $ industries like abortion.
But you’re 100% right David. Politics for the Body of Christ poses a snare of worldliness that looks righteous. I need to monitor myself or be swept into the flow.
So true, go to scripture and the godly heritage we have to follow. Also look prophetically ahead. There will be no protesting or voting out the antichrist. We as followers of Christ need know for sure the source of our power and our true citizenship in God’s Kingdom.
Press on brother!
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dettinger47
January 31, 2020
Tremendous comment, Lisa Beth … better than my post! Thanks for the insights.
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YariGarciaWrites
January 31, 2020
I was living in California years back, when an elected official was caught giving himself and his buddies close to a million in salary (when he wasn’t supposed to!).
I feel that if we focus too much on the very-popular trend of President-bashing, we miss our local issues and charities. And we have much more control over what happens in our own communities, so we should be involved.
But maybe that’s why it’s popular to complain about Trump… It’s easier than being involved in our communities 🤔 Thanks for bringing up this topic with accompanying Scripture! Your blog is fantastic 🙂
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dettinger47
January 31, 2020
Thank you for the kind words, Yari. I totally agree with the points you’re making. We should be involved in what’s occurring in our own back yards … a little less whining, bashing, and hatred, and a little more compassion and “doing good onto others.”
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mrsmariposa2014
January 31, 2020
Amen!! Thank you so much for this. You spoke my heart on the whole matter here. Our hearts and minds need to be on the eternal. All the rest of this, politics included, will fade away.
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dettinger47
January 31, 2020
So, true, Marisa. So true!
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Sealed in Christ
January 31, 2020
I wholeheartedly agree.
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dettinger47
January 31, 2020
Thank you!
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seriouslyseekinganswers
January 31, 2020
Rather than be loyal to either the liberal or the conservative platform, it’s better to follow the Gospel, which doesn’t fit neatly into either platform. At least not as far as I can see.
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dettinger47
January 31, 2020
Well said. Amen!
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seekingdivineperspective
January 31, 2020
“Politics is “nothing more” because politics can’t save the souls of lost human beings.” – EXACTLY.
(I still pray for Barack Obama every night. Force of habit, I guess.)
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dettinger47
January 31, 2020
A very good habit!
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My Way Home Life
February 2, 2020
Lots of truth here, David. I remember as a smart-mouthed teenager making jokes about and harshly criticizing that election’s liberal candidates, when a teacher reminded me how much God loved them, and that God had allowed them to be in their positions of leadership. While we don’t have to agree with a worldview that goes against God’s, we should pray for our leaders with genuine love, regardless of their political party. I’ve never forgotten that and have taught my children the same.
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dettinger47
February 2, 2020
Well said. I absolutely agree!
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