As it was four and eight years ago, so it seems to be again. I stand
amazed as many pastors and parishioners once again are seemingly beginning the process to
politically annihilate themselves.
Ironically, in 2008 and 2012 it
was the Christian outsiders not partnering with the insiders…this time
it is the Christian insiders not teaming-up with the outsiders. Even
though both in and out are Republicans, and have more in common with
each other than they do with the Democrats; it seems as the Pharisee
spirit is alive and well and may hand the election to the Democrats.
In
2008, John McCain was too liberal. In 2012, Mitt Romney was too Mormon.
In both instances, a NO VOTE for John and Mitt resulted in Barack
Obama, a far left liberal who governs in opposition to most conservative
Christian beliefs. WOW…not real bright on the part of Christian
Republicans, who were too holier-than-thou to even cast a vote in said years.
Last
election, ministers were so successful in discouraging a vote for a too
Mormon Romney, that approximately 4,000,000 fewer conservatives voted
for him than previously voted for McCain. Had that amount turned out for
Mitt, he would have easily won the Presidency.
Today, it would
seem that Trump is too much of an Outsider and not sanctimonious enough
for many Christians. It will be interesting to see if Christians learn
from their past mistakes, or if the Pharisee spirit prevails and they
replicate the folly of the past.
On February 29, 2016, I heard
David Green, the owner of Hobby Lobby, boldly proclaim that Donald Trump
was not sanctimonious enough to garner his vote.No big deal, vote for
whomever you want in the primaries. However, it was his add-on that made
me shutter and prompted this post. Green said, and come election time,
he will not vote for Trump. And I said to myself, that same ole Pharisee spirit is back again this election.
A
NO vote for Trump is a YES vote for Clinton, and it is likely she will
govern just as Obama has. Not to mention three Supreme Court Judges the
next President will likely appoint. What a tragedy, the Church is in
jeopardy of once again heaping greater government resistance upon
itself.
I feel qualified to pen this post because I have written
extensively on why people do what they do. If you want to to gain
insights into yourself and others, read the In-Syncness for Ministers or Christians. A link for E-book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble is at www.insyncness.com/books
In
conclusion, perhaps, a look at some factors will shed light on the
situation and help dispel the Pharisee spirit. Trump says he has never
smoked, drank or done drugs. Wonder how many ministers and Christians
can say that? Trump has raised at least three apparently well mannered
children who would appear to be the joy of any father. Wonder what
percentage of minister’s kids are doing as well…or for that manner, what
percentage of kids in the evangelical wing of the church are as clean
cut and of equal caliber.
One characteristic of the
Pharisee spirit is it makes people feel good about themselves, by
blinding them to their flaws, and accentuating the flaws in others.
Jesus said, “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye,
and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's
eye." Matthew 7:5
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