“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone. . .” – John 8:7
I’m a pastor, a shepherd. That’s God’s calling on my life. And with that calling comes certain attributes. A shepherd protects. A shepherd feeds. A shepherd tends his flocks and people in general. That’s who I am. And it is in this spirit of a shepherd that I respond to the impeachment of President Trump. Some would warn against a pastor commenting or taking sides politically. They say, “If you take sides you’ve alienated half of your audience.” There is some truth to that. But being a Christian, and in particular a pastor, is not something I got into to be popular. In fact, Jesus said, “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake” (Matthew 10:22; 24:9; Mark 13:13; Luke 21:17). That’s one of those unpopular prophetic promises of our Lord.
Some will be quick to point out that Jesus’ prophetic promise has to do with being hated “for My names sake.” It’s not a general statement that we will be hated. People can be hated for many reasons. You may not feel politics is worth being hated about. I would respond by pointing out that the phrase “for My name’s sake” means, for the things Jesus would live for or that are in line with Who He is. To the politician Pilate, Jesus said, “For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37). We are called to be like Jesus (e.g. Romans 8:29; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6). Therefore, we too should witness to the truth. Jesus earlier tells us the source of truth is God’s word (John 17:17). In God’s word there is the truth that those who name His name should be those who “do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). The prophet Isaiah was inspired to exhort us, “Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:17). In the New Testament we are exhorted, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:11). There are many other verses of the Bible that support the idea of righting wrongs and resisting evil. But this is my mindset as I proceed into the political minefield.
Maybe at this point I should warn you that unlike my usual writings, this is not a Bible study. O, I reference scripture. That will be true of anything and everything I ever write. But what I share now is of a political nature. Politics is a part of life and we shouldn’t fear venturing into that arena. The shepherd’s flock grazes in political fields. When Jesus told His disciples to be salt and light, He was directing them to infiltrate this world and influence it for the good, not isolate from this world, sit back, and watch it burn (Matthew 5:13-16).
The Shepherd’s Psalm, Psalm 23, one of my favorites, has a line in it that states, “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4b). The staff was a long pole with a hook in it used by the shepherd to hook and rescue sheep that had fallen in a hole or on a ledge of a cliff. The rod was more of a weapon to beat off predators and maybe gently but firmly persuade sheep to go in the right direction. I write this article in hopes that it will serve as a staff to rescue those who are wondering if they should drink the political poisoned cool aide of the left. And I write this article to serve as a rod to beat off the predators who would prey on presidents, politicians and people, Christian or not. And so here goes.
I watched the “solemn” procession of democrats parade the articles of impeachment to the Senate. I watched these theatrics, (and that is what it was) with the fresh memory of the cheers and glee these same partisans voiced at their vote to impeach this duly elected (and beloved by many) president. I cringed at the words of Speaker of the House Pelosi, trying to act so “presidential” of late. I remember her referencing in the recent past her “Christian” standing and that “I pray for the President” statement. She said, “we do the Lord’s work.” (If that’s the case I wonder how God feels about you and your compatriots staunch and rabid support for abortion. But I digress.) I also remember a hate so deep, so vicious and vile toward our president that she and her democratic constituents would not even support the accomplished demise of one of the foremost terrorists and terror supporting individuals in history, Qasem Soleimani. Government is ordained by God to use the sword against such evil terror and injustice (cf. Romans 13). Soleimani’s demise was a righteous act of government that everyone should have been able to and indeed should have supported. But some didn’t. Why?
I watched the “solemn” procession and I remembered. I remembered the “impeachment” process. I remembered the Speaker’s previous statement that any impeachment should be based on non-partisan or bi-partisan support, and then watched as an exclusively partisan pursuit of impeachment took place. I remembered the impeachment “hearings” (?). I remembered the accusations, and second and third person removed “testimony.” I remembered a lot of bluster, but I don’t remember anything approaching hard evidence. The standard for impeachment is high crimes and misdemeanors, not “I just don’t like him,” or “I hate the mother______!” Disgusting.
Indeed, this impeachment was well thought out. Remember when “The Squad”[1] and the likes of Maxine Waters vociferously and viciously riled up and rallied mobs to “Impeach 45!” These hardcore establishment politicians and leftists were calling for the duly elected president’s impeachment as soon as he was elected. Oh, the formal inquiry didn’t happen until September 24, 2019. But this was their plan to overturn the will of the people all along. This is a strategy. This was never something based on any genuine conscientious moral basis. There’s been a lot of acting. There’s been putrid posturing. This was always and still is a self-serving grab for power.
This my friends, was and is nothing more than a well-manicured coup d’état. Every force of politics available to the president’s opponents has been called upon. The Deep State is a reality. They are those who are addicted to power. They prefer globalism and leftist ideology and socialism over the Federal Republic and Constitutional democratic government of the United States of America. These Deep Stater soldiers called upon their allies from every segment of this government they have infested. Those planted in the CIA, FBI, NSA, the courts, the previous executive branch and every branch of government, they’ve all been called upon to pitch in. They hated the outcome of the 2016 election and they weren’t going to stand for it. No, they had an
insurance policy” according to one of them.[2] They are wading through the gutter of political defecation to overturn this election. They are hell bent to maneuver the political swamp come hell or high water. They are drowning in refuse of their own making. They spied, they lied, they propagandized. And unfortunately, too many, who Lenin referred to as “useful idiots,” have allowed themselves to be suckered into being a part of sedition and treachery. It’s a shame. Think I’m overexaggerating? Do your research.
Why would anyone be so closed minded? Why wouldn’t they settle for the fairness of an election? Why wouldn’t they accept election results? Do you think it has something to do with M-O-N-E-Y? Did you ever ask yourself how people whose annual salary is around $140,000-$200,000 annually, could become millionaires? President Harry S. Truman (a Democrat) once said, “Show me a man that gets rich by being a politician and I’ll show you a crook.” Word on the street is: Nancy Pelosi admits her net worth to be $26.4 million. However, the Center for Responsive Politics reports her net worth to be closer to $101, 273,023 in 2014. It’s much more now. In addition to that she has seven properties worth $16.5 million and a $5 million vineyard. All of this on an annual salary of $193,400! Nancy has been in politics a little over 32 years. 32 times $193,400 equals $6 million, 188 thousand, 800 dollars, IF SHE NEVER SPENT A DIME ON ANYTHING ELSE. Hmmm. A bit of a disparity wouldn’t you say? How is it the Obamas went into the presidency worth around 3 million dollars and came out of it worth 40 million? (Some estimates are that they are now worth more than 135 million dollars!) How is it the Clintons went into the presidency worth an estimated $500 thousand dollars and came out of it worth more (much more) than 100 million dollars? How’d that happen? Just do some research on the “charitable” Clinton Foundation, you will be astounded, offended, and angered. How’d all this profiteering happen? I think President Truman gave us the answer. How does that happen in a position designed originally to be a “service” position to represent constituent citizens?
We are paying 535 members of Congress who are doing nothing but attack a standing president who serves at a financial loss and has donated each paycheck to charity. You heard me right. President Trump went into the presidency worth 4.5 billion dollars and has a present estimated worth of 3.5 billion dollars. His net worth has decreased! President Trump is serving our nation at his own personal expense. He actually has been donating his salary to charitable causes. You might not know that because the main stream media doesn’t report it or only slightly mentioned it. There is a great disparity and partisan political slant that has infected the media in our land.
Does that make sense?
Do you know who supposedly the richest person in the world is? You’ll never guess. It’s Vladimir Putin! His net worth is estimate at around 200 billion dollars. Those opponents of President Trump accusing him of Russian collusion, are trending financially more toward Vladimir Putin than our standing president. Again, remember what President Truman said.
How is it the sons of Joe Biden, Mitt Romney, Nancy Pelosi and John Kerry are all, despite having no qualifications, on the board of companies that do business with the Ukraine? Isn’t that a bit suspicious? Sounds like collusion to me. President Trump and his family gave up much of their financial assets in order to serve this country. No, we don’t need to feel sorry for them. They will still always be far richer and well to do than most of us ever will be or can ever hope to be. But how come they aren’t credited with doing that? How come those on the other side of the aisle aren’t called out for not doing the same? Wonder what old “Give ‘em hell Harry” would say about such things.
Do you think this impeachment has anything to do with a lust for P-O-W-E-R? Here’s another question I’ve been pondering. Joe Biden is in politics for 44 years. Chuck Schumer is in politics for 38 years. Nancy Pelosi is in politics for 32 years. Maxine Waters is in politics for 28 years. Jerry Nadler is in politics for 27 years. And Adam Schiff is in politics for 20 years. How is it then, that President Trump, who has been in politics for a little over 36 MONTHS is being blamed for all our problems? Just wondering. What’s really going on here?
There’s a lust for political position of power. And those entrenched in political position of our day, the elite, are pushing a globalist agenda. Do you think the Latter Days mantra of globalism has anything to do with what’s going on? This world is hell bent on transitioning to a socialist globalist one world government. The elite in positions of power globally are fervent in their pursuit of such an arrangement. They are willing to seek global socialism at the expense of national patriotism. “Independent countries be damned!” they say. “Tear it all down!” their placards say. Patriotism and nationalism cut directly against such a worldview. And so, anything or anyone that gets in the way of their mission is fair game.
These globalists don’t understand that they are playing into the devil’s hands. They have responded in heart to the call for kindness and equality offered by the salesmen of socialism. But when they open the hood, all they’ll find is nothing; long bread lines; no toilet paper; no nothing. What they will ultimately find is a “savior.” The global government system is the setting in which a “Christ” figure will arise to rule the world. “And all authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation” (Revelation 13:7b). What we see now is the beginning of the great set up.” What we eventually will see in the end is, “All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8).
Well if that’s the case, shouldn’t we let it happen? Why should we resist the inevitable? Wouldn’t that be to resist God? Listen Christian, we are here “for such a time as this,” for a purpose. We, the true Church composed of Spirit filled born again believers in Jesus Christ, we are put here in this part of human history, by God, to resist and restrain evil. “And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way” (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7). “He” who retrains is the Holy Spirit in the Church. “He” through the Church, retrains lawlessness and all evil wherever it is found. We are sovereignly put here by God to resist evil. We are called to this. We cannot be silent. We cannot ignore politics because politics is where the evil is that must be resisted. We resist evil wherever it is found in this fallen world. We resist it with His powerful gospel (e.g. Romans 1:16-17). We resist it with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). We resist it in the power of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6; Romans 8). We resist and restrain evil for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). Christian, we need to pray for God to make us what we need to be, to do what He has called us to do, wherever we are, whatever station and position of life he has us in, for His glory, until He returns.
The days of serving in a political position temporarily are long gone. It used to be a person served in government as a sacrifice, honor and patriotic duty to this great nation. Now, well, now the only ones sacrificing are the constituents who have to pay for bloated unnecessary government regulations, for luxury plane flights and processions throughout the world, a myriad privileged perks, what is in reality a modern day aristocracy and self-promoting elite class of “public servants” that have our Founding Fathers rolling over, spinning in their graves. There really is a swamp in Washington and it needs to be cleaned. It’s a huge job. It’s a dirty job, (as the tactics of late expose). It’s going to take a special kind of person to do it. It’s going to take courage. It’s going to take a man with a steel jaw and thick leather hide. It’s going to take someone who can resist the entrenched temptations of politics as usual. It’s going to take someone who doesn’t fear being in the minority if that is what doing the right thing requires. It’s going to take someone who is confident in what he believes. It’s going to take someone willing to be attacked with a withering barrage of blistering accusations. It’s going to take someone who is willing to, let’s say, give up and donate his quarterly presidential salary. It’s going to take someone whose diplomatic discretion is like a bull in a china shop. Its going to take someone whose love of God and country, sense of destiny, and appreciation for the blessings of this Land is worth the personal sacrifice demanded. It’s going to take someone who is convinced that they just may have come to power, “for such a time as this.” It’s going to take someone willing to trumpet a call back to our national constitutional origins. It’s going to take someone whose name is Trump.
You might be thinking at this point, “But how do you really feel pastor?” Ha! I hear you. But truly, I cannot in good conscience remain silent. My heart is in agreement with Franklin Graham’s response to this impeachment. It’s worth quoting here:
POSTED JAN 13 BY FRANKLIN GRAHAM:
“It has been announced that the articles of impeachment will most likely be sent to the Senate this week. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is saying President Trump is “impeached for life.” It’s sad that never has there been such a level of hatred as there has been for Donald Trump from the Democrats and the liberal media. Why? It may be because he hasn’t bowed down to them—he hasn’t cowed to the media or to Nancy Pelosi and they can’t stand it. They have lied and continue to lie. President Donald J. Trump has consistently done what he thought was best for the American people and what he told the voters in 2015-2016 he was going to do. This impeachment is about embarrassing the President and trying to win the next election at all cost. They hate him so much that they wanted to soil his reputation and make him one of three presidents in American history to be impeached. But I believe the American voters see through these lies and through this never-ending charade. The Russia hoax was such a huge distraction and now the impeachment. I pray God will strengthen our President and Vice President Mike Pence and watch over their families and protect them from the lies and false accusations of the left.”
I totally agree. I need to speak some reason into the hysteria, toward the hate. (At least this is my reasoned response. I’m a little riled up. Forgive me. But listen to me too.)
Shame on those who put politics and personal gain above truth and rightness. Shame on those who the last three plus years have forsaken their service to the American people in order to pursue a personal vendetta. Shame on those who are blind to the rule of law, try to change it or ignore it to serve their own perverse purposes, and have lost all sense of fairness and respect for the executive office. And shame on those who refuse to see the blessings God has given through this man. You think that’s blasphemous for me to say? You say, “What blessings?” How about President Trump’s and his administration’s support for life, the support for life, THE SUPPORT FOR LIFE!? How about raising attention to the human trafficking and sex slavery problem and doing more to stop that than any other president of our day? How about putting people to work; especially minorities? How about putting America and its citizens first instead of traveling the world apologizing for them? How about his putting America and its citizens first in terms of protecting our borders? How about the spirit of making America great again? It’s not a bad thing to feel good about who we are as a nation. How about the president’s use of the sound policy of peace through strength that is quieting evil entities nationally as well as internationally? How about those blessings, to name a few?
To those who would dig up the presidents past coarse words, or poor behavior, I would say, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone.” (John 8:7). To those who point to his present blunt tweets or less than kind yet true statements, I would say, sometimes we need undiluted truth. Bedside manner is not as important as right diagnosis and treatment. Decades of wishy-washy Milktoast political jibber jabber hasn’t gotten us anything but enriched politicians and a weak nation. It’s time to do some house cleaning. It’s time to face facts. It’s time to acknowledge issues and problems and deal with them. We need a national intervention. That is what this president is providing. Without it, our nation, as it was going, would cease to be a nation.
Who of you, who of us, who of anyone, could stand as well as our president has, to three plus years of all-out seething investigation? And who of us could have handled a vicious media that muffles any news of accomplishments and presents any and all news about the president it does report with a sneer and scorn? If someone comes to the Lord, (as I believe the president has), aren’t they to be forgiven? Doesn’t the Bible say, “Be kind and tender hearted, forgiving one another, JUST AS GOD IN CHRIST HAS FORGIVEN YOU”? (Eph. 4:32). Does that describe your attitude toward this man? Shouldn’t we be supporting such a man? I seem to remember Jesus saying:
Matthew 6:12–15 (NKJV)
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Do you have a forgiving heart toward President Trump, or are you looking to find fault, to smear, to convey anything and everything he does in a negative light? Do you embrace him as a possible brother in Christ? We don’t know definitively that he is, or that he isn’t. We do hear him say such things as, “Our rights are not given to us by man. Our rights come from our Creator.” We hear him say, “Faith is more powerful than government, and NOTHING is more powerful than God.” We see him welcome people praying before his meetings and in public. When was the last time a president welcomed that? Not in recent memory. This is a president who says, “Every day I wake up determined to deliver a better life for the people all across this nation that have been ignored, neglected and abandoned.” And this is a president who pulls no punches saying of his enemies, “They’ve done TREASONOUS things. . . EVIL things!” He readily testifies that, “I love this country as much as I can love anything. . . My country, my family, my God.”
So, what if he is a brother in Christ? Would you be ashamed to call him a brother if he is? Could you, would you embrace him if he is a brother in Christ? Or would you be a casting stone accuser toward one with whom you may one day join to cast your crown before our God’s throne? How deep is your hate? If you persist in your hate, just remember, “He who says he is in the light and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. . . . But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes” (1 John 2:9 and 11). Indeed, scripture says, “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15). And lastly, the truth of the matter is, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” (1 John 4:20). Truly, in these last days, even in regards to our political enemies, we should, “above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). Maybe Speaker of the House Pelosi should pay close attention to these verses. I say that in love.
And even if President Trump isn’t a brother in Christ, that is no reason to despise or hate him. Jesus said, “But love your enemies” (Luke 6:35). Jesus said, “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them” (Luke 6:32). That’s something we can’t do in our own strength. We can only do that in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one who empowers us with such love (Romans 5:5). The Holy Spirit is the One who bears such spiritual fruit in and through us (Galatians 5:22-24).
You say, “The president is boastful! Proud! Arrogant!” Is that so? Perhaps to some degree. I thank God he does stand up for himself. He has a backbone. We need backbone! Part of it is the nature of politics. But I think it’s more a response to show the public real accomplishments to justify reelection so a good job started can be furthered. I think the President’s strong temper is an effort to overcome the media’s vicious partisan reporting and slanting news always in the negative. If he doesn’t declare what’s been accomplished for our good, WHO WILL? The media? His opponents? No. He is left no other recourse but to proclaim what has been accomplished. Thank goodness, judging by the full and enthusiastic crowds at his rallies, the majority of people see through the lies and are hearing the truth of what is being accomplished by this administration. I believe God’s hand is in it.
To those who would say, “But the president is impeached! There must be something wrong there.” Please, honestly look at the bluster, the arrogant theatrics of his critics. Look through the smoke and mirrors to the opponent’s empty table of no evidence. This is the first time a president has been impeached for purely partisan reasons absent ANY proof of high crime or misdemeanor. The president even provided a transcript of his conversation with the Ukrainian president. The Ukrainian president has repeatedly said there was no quid pro quo. The president has acted within the powers of the executive branch. Compare and contrast the actions of previous administrations from both sides of the aisle and you’ll see President Trump has done nothing out of the ordinary (except to bring extraordinary accomplishments). Even years of enemy (much of it illegal) examination at the cost of over 40 million dollars to taxpayers hasn’t brought any offenses to light regarding President Trump. They dig and dig and sift and sift and find absolutely nothing. All the while they are delinquent in their duties as our legislators. They do nothing for the American people. Their positions of power and privilege are their supreme priority; they care for nothing else; not me; not you; not anybody but themselves. Indeed, much of what President Trump is accused of has been done by his accusers! They are projecting on him what they themselves are guilty of! (e.g. Joe Biden). Examine the evidence folks. It’s true. Try to be objective. Examine your heart. Seek truth. God help you do it. And then stop your hate toward this man. Help to drain and clean the Washington swamp of its two-tiered injustice system with your voice and vote.
Love believes all things, which doesn’t mean to be gullible, but does mean to give the benefit of the doubt. Do that with our President. Love him. Even if tempted to hate him, love him. You have no other choice if you claim to be Christian.
To those who see the providence of God in this man, stay strong, keep informed, don’t be silent. Remember, he is our President, not our Pastor. Thank God for President Trump’s strong voice, courageous never give up character, and love for this nation and its people. Thank God for the evidence of his changed heart. Thank God for his willingness and encouragement to receive prayer and be sensitive to godly things. Thank God for the good godly changes we see in our president.
So, what can we do? What should we do? First, if you aren’t already, you need to get right with God. You might pray this prayer to help you do that:
Father in heaven I come humbly before You in Jesus’ name.
I admit my sin to you. My sins have separated me from You. I know nothing I do can work off or excuse my sin.
Therefore, I trust in Jesus as My Savior. I believe He died on the cross to pay my debt of sin. I ask Your forgiveness based on what He has done for me.
I believe Jesus rose from the dead proving His sacrifice on the cross was acceptable to You, and justly settled my debt of sin.
I accept Your forgiveness by faith.
Holy Spirit please indwell me and give me eternal life. Help me to grow in my relationship with God and to live in a way that is pleasing to You.
In Jesus name. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, find a Bible teaching church, read your Bible and pray daily. Prayer is how you speak to God. The Bible is how He speaks to you. And ask God to show you how to live with Him and for Him each day.
As far as how to respond to this article. Pray for President Trump. Support him in conversation and resist those who would sully his reputation. Take a stand! Don’t be silent! Resist the evil. Actively support and facilitate as much as you can, the good work of President Trump.
I thank God for President Trump. You should too; we all should.
God continue to bless and protect our President. And God continue to bless these United States of America! Revive us O LORD! In Jesus name. Amen.
[1] Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Talib
[2] From the text conversations of mistress Lisa Page and her paramour John Strzok