Let’s put aside for a moment the blatant inconsistencies of the Left— such as if Donald Trump was a Democrat all the allegations of “altering business records” to “affect the outcome of the 2016 presidential election” never would have been made in the first place (just witness how silent they’ve been about releasing the list of sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein’s clients and the criminal allegations against the Biden family, all of which are worse than Trump’s charges).

God allowed this conviction to happen, but why? Here are three possible reasons:

1. We Reap What We Sow

Actions have consequences. Like all of us, the choices Donald Trump made earlier in his life have consequences, and some of the unsavory ones have haunted him since taking office in 2016.

But the Banana Republic of America is acting just like the Pharisees Jesus criticized when He described them as “blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!” (Matthew 23:24). He was criticizing them because they focused on unimportant details while ignoring the truly important things.

As Christians, we forgive people and allow them to move on. While many Christians have spent the better part of the last decade criticizing Trump’s “character,” many of us also realize that we are not electing a Pastor in Chief but a Commander in Chief.

I can unapologetically say that Trump’s personal character does not matter to me nearly as much as the Left’s approval of killing the unborn, allowing men to enter women’s locker rooms, and turning a blind eye to trafficking children.

How deceived are we when things such as murdering and exploiting the innocent are no big deal, but Trump’s character or language is? At least be consistent.

While we’re on the topic of sowing and reaping, many are currently sowing to the wind and will reap the whirlwind of God’s judgment. Make no mistake, America will answer for her corrupt legislators and ungodly legislation in both sides of the political aisle. We must stop.

2. Clear Lines Are Being Drawn

Through events like this, God is revealing who and what people and churches stand for. Trump is hated not because of his character, but because of what he stands for. He is a disruptive force in the course of human events.

To the Christians who oppose Trump: If the abortion industry, George Soros, most of the media, and Hollywood are on your side, are you sure that you’re on the right side?

Tragically, many churches have become weak and woke. We’ve created a generation that seeks teachers who tickle ears rather than challenge hearts (cf. 2 Timothy 4:3).

These teachers know nothing of the calling of Jeremiah, who said, “His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot” (Jeremiah 20:9 NIV). Instead, they prophesy smooth things and encourage sin in order to please their listeners (Isaiah. 30:10).

To see real change, our pulpits must be aflame with righteousness again, with tongues of fire calling us to repent: “A holy minister,” wrote Robert McCheyne, “is an awful weapon in the hand of God.”

The liberal churches and pastors in America are leading people straight to Hell — not because they do not support Trump, but because they do not support the Gospel and its call to repent of sexual sin and pride. These liberal churches are failing to lead people back to God. Lines are being drawn both in the spirit realm and in our nation, and true character is being revealed.

When a vessel is struck, what’s inside spills out — and what has been spilling out is a stench in the nostrils of God.

3. We Are Being Tested to See Where We Place Our Trust

I cringe when I see posts comparing Trump to Jesus, and I fear for the millions who view him as their Savior. I understand their frustrations with America — but we must set our gaze upon God and fan the flames of personal revival. As E.M. Bounds wrote, “It is only when the whole heart is gripped with the passion of prayer that the life-giving fire descends, for none but the earnest man gets access to the ear of God.”

We need to return to the old paths: “Where are yesterday’s altars of prayer? Where are the saints that love to linger in His presence? The weeping, the crying, the interceding for lost souls? The church needs to wake up!” (Gene Easley).

Our prayer should be, “Oh Lord, we need fire again, and begin in me!”

Be crystal clear here: This is a plea for full surrender to Christ: He is the only Cure for our chaos, the only Anchor for our storm, and the only Hope for the hurting.

Church, we must humble ourselves before God does it for us. Otherwise, we may be finding ourselves in this situation:

Thus says the Lord:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
I set watchmen over you, saying,
‘Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!’
But they said, ‘We will not pay attention.’
Therefore hear, O nations,
and know, O congregation, what will happen to them.
Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people,
the fruit of their devices,
because they have not paid attention to my words;
and as for my law, they have rejected it.” (Jeremiah 6:16-19 ESV)

 

Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Southern California and the creator of the WCF Radio Network. His program, Regaining Lost Ground, points us back to God and reminds us that although times change, truth does not. His books, blogs, and sermons can all be found at ShaneIdleman.com.