By David Ettinger
Voter Fraud Frenzy
I am amazed by the number of strong, evangelical Christians on social media deeply mired in what they believe is the “robbing” of a second term for President Trump.
I am amazed by the zeal, time, and attention devoted by several of my coworkers – who are strong and dynamic Christians – to this issue. They are all about the manipulation of the Dominion voting system, digging up of votes from people who do not exist for President-Elect Biden, and the trashing of legitimate votes for President Trump.
They fill their Facebook and Twitter pages with article after article on voter fraud, and elicit fiery reactions from those on different points on the political spectrum.
This baffles me. I don’t blame anyone for being concerned about the legitimacy of the Presidential Elections and spending some time researching it. However, for Christians to obsess over this controversy is beyond me. There are professionals being paid millions of dollars to look into this issue, so it is not as though it is not being addressed.
Furthermore, on the social media pages of these evangelical Christians, I’m seeing less and less mention of God, Jesus, the Gospel, the Bible, and, generally, telling unbelievers how they can be saved from their sins and have eternal life.
No, all of these opportunities are being squandered in favor of the voter fraud issue, and I believe the time and emotional investment being poured into it by Christians is not what Jesus has called His children to do.
The Work God Requires
In John Chapter 6, we read of how Jesus fed the 5,000. The next day, much of that crowd remained, searching for Jesus. When they found Him, the Lord noted that they sought Him for the wrong reason: “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill” (v. 26).
Jesus then admonished them to “not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you” (v. 27). Jesus was contrasting the crowds’ materialism – which perishes – with their spiritual eternity. The crowd was looking for another free meal; Jesus wanted to give them eternal life.
The crowd then asks Jesus: “What must we do to do the works God requires?” (v. 28). As usual, they were looking for salvation via good works. Jesus corrected their errant thinking by replying: “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent” (v. 29).
God is not drawn by human works. He only accepts those who “Believe in the Lord Jesus” (Acts 16:31). Once believers give their lives to Christ through faith alone, they are then instructed to do “works” of salvation. That is, not “works” by which to be saved, but works because they are saved. You will find these “works” in the Beatitudes, other commands by Jesus, and as the “application” sections of the epistles written by Paul, Peter, John, and James.
Among the major “works” of Christians is to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
The Wrong Path
Based on the above, I can’t see where Christians (unless it is their profession) are called to drown themselves in politics, become amateur sleuths regarding alleged voter fraud, and heap disdain and even foul language upon those who disagree with them. For me, if God had wanted President Trump to remain as President, He would have seen to it.
No, far from all of this, the Lord Jesus calls upon the unsaved to “do to do the works God requires” – that is, to confess Jesus as Lord; and once becoming Christians, to make disciples by sharing the Gospel, and serving all people with kind and compassionate works.
But to throw ourselves mind, body, and soul into politics and the materialism of this world which will be burned up in the fire – no way!
Christians engaging in this muck and mire are way off on this one.
mrsmariposa2014
January 14, 2021
Yes! Thank you so much for this. I am seeing a lot of fixation, anger, and despair from a lot of believers-some I am close to. Even a favorite Christian newsletter I subscribe to has gone from sharing the gospel to nothing but election fraud the past several months now. Too many Christians are forgetting we serve a great God who remains on the throne as well as the greatest call on our lives-to share salvation through Christ with a hurting world.
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dettinger47
January 14, 2021
Exactly, Marisa. So well said!
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Bruce Cooper
January 14, 2021
Well David, let me be among the first to agree with your Biblical and secular observations, because it baffles me too. Considering that the former Attorney General, William Barr, who had been one of the President’s most ardent allies, with all the resources of the US Justice Department at his disposal (US Attorneys and FBI Agents), stated that they had uncovered no evidence of widespread voter fraud that could change the outcome of the 2020 election, one would think that would put to rest the ongoing allegations, but such is not the case. And the burning question that keeps coming into my mind is “why”? I will spare sharing my conclusion with you (unless you specifically ask), because I would assume that you will be receiving a fair number of comments that will disagree with you, and you hardly need me adding additional fuel to the flame. I do commend you for having the courage to voice your concerns. Blessings!
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dettinger47
January 14, 2021
Thanks, Bruce. Actually, I hope you’re right about receiving negative comments. Generally, both my WordPress and Facebook friends are too polite. However, I always welcome opposing views.
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Bruce Cooper
January 14, 2021
I do however, have to disagree with the last statement you made and I quote, “Christians are way off on this one.” unquote. I would suggest that it should read “Some Christians are way off on this one”. And it should be noted that you and I are not the only two Christians who have noted this. Thanks for your indulgence!
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dettinger47
January 14, 2021
Good point. I think I can easily amend the wording.
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dettinger47
January 14, 2021
Hey Bruce. I changed it to this: “Christians engaging in this muck and mire are way off on this one.”
What do you think? If you have a better suggestion, I’m open to it!
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Bruce Cooper
January 14, 2021
I’d still go with the “some”, you don’t want to rub noses in the muck and mire.
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dettinger47
January 14, 2021
The only thing with “some” is that it is too weak of a word in this case. I take a pretty strong stance; it would weaken the blog to end it in such a fair-weather way.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it. I like my new ending better than the original!
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Bruce Cooper
January 14, 2021
Not a problem David, your call! Blessings.
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annj49
January 14, 2021
I would say “There are Christians fully engaging in this muck and mire. I believe this is a mistake.”
Or some such thing….
Will comment more later!
Ann
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dettinger47
January 14, 2021
Thank you, Ann.
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Angel
January 14, 2021
Silly Roman Christians. Engaging in the muck and mire of truth before the lions.
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annj49
January 19, 2021
Clarification: I believe that Christians can engage in the promotion of truth without engaging in or participating in the muck and mire of hate and vitriol against others. Truth is often offensive in and of itself, but the bearer’s speech can nonetheless be seasoned with grace.
Colossians 4:6
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
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Ryan Callahan
January 14, 2021
Amen, well said, David. I agree. God has a purpose and a plan in all of this and we must trust Him, and keep doing the good work He has called us to do. God bless!
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dettinger47
January 14, 2021
Thank you, Ryan, and God bless you!
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Ken Feland
January 14, 2021
Thanks for this blog. I agree with you. I think God gave Christians four years to spread His word of salivation. The Church ( many ) instead are preaching a “feel good” message. I am afraid for my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s future. We are rapidly moving into a god-less society. But, we know that God will always have a faithful group of believers.
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dettinger47
January 14, 2021
Spot-on, Ken. Great to hear from you, and I agree with everything you said. Amen!
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Lisa Beth
January 14, 2021
Brother, you cannot overstate these points. I have some strong political views but this obsession has defied mandated faith in the sovereignty of God. And WORSE, this fervor is misrepresenting God and His true followers.
We will be broad stroked and ostracized.
So true, this worldly ambition neglects the high call of God and at best, stores up nothing but hay and stubble.
Press on David!
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dettinger47
January 14, 2021
Well said, Lisa Beth! Thank you.
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Tom
January 14, 2021
Thanks, David. I’m sad for believers who go deeper and deeper down the political conspiracy and election-fraud rabbit hole. They are temporal-minded rather than spiritual-minded.
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dettinger47
January 14, 2021
Good point, Tom. They are indeed going deeper and deeper down. Much thanks!
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Blue Collar Theologian
January 14, 2021
I’m with you on this. It’s fine to be concerned but the abyss some believers are living in is just baffling. I confess before God, you and the whomsoever that read this that I’m not real thrilled about what is going to happen. We walk by faith and not by sight or feeling. At the end of the day, God does not care what I/we feel about anything. While God most certainly did create emotions, we are not to be so angry, worried and earthly focused that we lose sight of the big picture, to glorify God and share Him with others. God has and will continue to help His people process their emotions, even emotions coming from voter fraud. Thank you David for this post!
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dettinger47
January 14, 2021
Amen. Well said, Mandy!
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Angel
January 14, 2021
People are being paid millions NOT to look into it.
You’ll never have another free election in the US because of the fraud.
There isn’t anything that can be done about it.
But at least acknowledge the truth.
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heavensreef
January 14, 2021
I for one closed my FB and twitter account just looking at it all as wow, what a waste of time there and honestly anyone I need to speak with I see here on the blogs, or I can text or call my dear friends. I have always said all this political, and social media has satan in it all……he is doing anything to distract us from reading the Bible or even thinking about GOD. The world will pull you horizontal and then, oh how we drift away from our GOD! Trying to stay vertical here in Arizona David! Let’s put on the Armor of God each and every day to fight!
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dettinger47
January 15, 2021
Excellent insights, Maxine.
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heavensreef
January 19, 2021
You always make me think deeper David.
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dettinger47
January 19, 2021
Thank you, Maxine.
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seekingdivineperspective
January 15, 2021
Where in Arizona are you? I am visiting my sister, who lives in Scottsdale.
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heavensreef
January 18, 2021
HI! Yes, I live in Queen Creek, south of where you are. We love it!
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seekingdivineperspective
January 15, 2021
As it appears many of us might suddenly lose our platforms at any moment, or at the very least, be limited in where and what we can post, we (Christ-followers) should be devoting every word to eternal things. I would hate for my public legacy – my last statement to the world – to be taking some pot-shot at someone I disagree with regarding a political issue.
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dettinger47
January 15, 2021
Great point. I concur!
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God Still Speaks
January 15, 2021
We need to spend the same amount of time focused on Jesus. That is time well spent!
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Victors' Corner
January 17, 2021
I agree with you David. American Christians should not dwell so much on the alleged election fraud. They should be more concerned about living out the gospel.
Yes, for those of us watching from other parts of the world, what’s playing out in America is totally surprising to say least. But that doesn’t mean God has lost control.
In any case, I’m glad to note that not all Americans are bemoaning the outcome of the election. Whether Trump’s loss was expected or not, some Americans I follow on social media have already moved on.
As one of them wrote on her Facebook wall, “It is not about who is the president, but about God who is still King.”
My humble advice to American Christians is that, irrespective of the outcome of the election, they should not stop trusting God. “For with God, nothing shall be impossible.”
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dettinger47
January 17, 2021
I agree. Well said, Victor!
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