"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness ...... " Isaiah 5:20 ... Here we go again! .. Just like the election season of 2012, we are seeing the vast majority of America's Christians 'selling out' their values in vane attempts to save America through the nationalistic & political process. .. If you recall the 2012 elections for just a moment, we were told by several leading Christian leaders that we HAD to vote for Mitt Romney because if we didn't, we would be committing a sin! .. It would seem that somehow they 'conveniently' forgot that he was a member of a cult. .. I did send e-mails to remind them, but I got no response. (I'm shocked! .. but not really) ... And again this year, we are seeing the same thing materializing right before our eyes. .. Now before I go any farther, I want to state clearly that I am NOT endorsing anyone and am only trying to point out what I am seeing from a Christian perspective. ..... But all of a sudden, we are witnessing a mad dash to the apparent 'leader-to-stay,' Donald Trump. ... It seems many evangelicals are crawling out of the woodwork to support this guy! .. In fact, on January 19th, there was a headline on the Drudge Report that said it plainly ... "Trump dominating with Evangelicals" ... What in the world are they thinking?! ... What version of the Bible are they reading? .... Let's take a quick glance at this man for a moment. .. He's arrogant, boasts constantly about his earthly wealth, supports the 'gay' movement, and has always backed abortion ... to name just a few. .. Now, according to the Bible I read, all of the aforementioned are sins. ... Here's just one scripture that refutes his arrogance .. "For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world." (1 John 2:16) ... Now I can understand how a non-Christian could be caught up in all of this, but a true follower? ... In last week's commentary - "Politics or Prayer" - I talked about the compromise that is taking place in the form of 'nationalism' .. the belief that the only way forward for America is to 'legislate their own desires.' .. The simple truth is, if we listen to the majority of Evangelicals talk today, the less we hear about the hope of Christ's coming again and the more we hear about 'all things America.' .. There are many Christians who are bent on changing society through government programs, lobbying activities, civil disobedience and pressure groups. .. But taking a close look at my Bible, I find no place that says this is the mission of the Church. .. In fact, the true mission is being replaced by those who believe the Kingdom of God can be established here and now by our human activities. .. In short, this arrogant church covets political power - not the power of God. Concerning our worldly position. we only need to go to the scriptures (what a concept) for our answer. ..Briefly, here's just two verses that directly relate to this issue ... *Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." *James 4:4 - "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." .. (Wow) .. Just one more quick reminder of the consequences of a compromised faith. .. It is found in Revelation 3:14-22 where our Lord talks about being 'lukewarm.' .. In this teaching, Christ talks directly about just how much He HATES those who profess to be something they are not! .. In fact, He says that He would rather someone would be either 'hot or cold,' but not tepid. .. His direct indictment was that He would 'spit them out of His mouth.' ... Wow! ... There is no way someone could not understand this judgement! .. But isn't this exactly what we are seeing in our nation today? .. and the political arena is a perfect example of people 'watering down' their convictions so as to suit their own desires. ... What a tragedy! ...... I know that all of these types of conditions concerning the latter day church were prophesied hundreds of years ago, but it's still incredibly difficult to watch it happen. ... An example is in 1 Timothy 4:1 where it says, "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." (Also see 1 Timothy 6:20-212 & 2 Timothy 4:3-4) ... And what was Jesus' teachings concerning these misleading practices? .. "Repent therefore." (Revelation 2:16) ... I know many of you out there do not agree with my a-political position and believe that America IS THE ANSWER to all the woes of the world. .. I, too, hope that America would see a turn-around from her rapid descent into immorality and depravity, but we cannot for a moment let these desires replace the truth of scripture. .. The Gospel of John talks much of our 'not being of this world.' .. Just look at John 15:18-19 where Jesus Himself tells us this ... "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." .. It's plain .. it's direct .. it leaves no room for manipulation. .. We cannot 'pick & choose' what we like & don't like. ... As I was contemplating this writing, the Holy Spirit put this verse on my heart. ...... "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14) ... Be careful in what path you choose to follow. .. I pray that none of you will be 'caught up' in the moment with the chaos that is taking place all around us. .... And know this, Jesus said that 'in this world we would have trouble, but to take heart, because He has overcome the world." ... (John 16:33) ... Hallelujah! .. Finally, learn this and keep it close to your heart ... "I am the child of a King who is not moved by the world. For my God is with me and goes before me. I do not fear because I am His." Until next time, Red