What happened to character and decency in America?
The married President of the United States publicly admires a woman’s backside, asks her to stand so the audience can admire it too, and the crowd responds with cheers and applause.
Let that sink in for a moment.
If something like this happened in someone’s workplace, there would likely be consequences. If it happened in a school, there would be disciplinary action. Yet when the President of the United States does it, people cheer.
And I can’t help but wonder how many in that audience proudly identify themselves as Christians.
When did we stop expecting character, integrity, respect, and basic decency from our leaders? When did political loyalty become more important than the values we claim to believe in?
Being a Christian doesn’t mean defending everything a politician says or does simply because he or she represents our preferred political party.
Jesus didn’t call us to worship political leaders. He called us to follow Him.
America doesn’t become a Christian nation because we say it is. Our faith should be reflected in how we live, how we treat others, and what we are willing to stand up for.
And perhaps the hardest question isn’t what’s wrong with America. It’s what’s happening inside the Church and the hearts of those who claim to follow Jesus.
Before the Christian community points fingers at the world, perhaps we need to get on our knees and examine our own hearts.
Would Jesus be pleased with what so many Christians applauded that night? Would He recognize their priorities? Would their actions reflect His character?
Church, it’s time for some serious soul-searching. Stop making excuses for behavior you would condemn in someone you disagree with politically. Stop confusing loyalty to a political leader with loyalty to Jesus.
The question isn’t whether America is living up to the label of a Christian nation. Which sadly in my opinion we are not. The question is whether we are living up to the name of Christ.
Because one day we won’t stand before God to defend our political party, our favorite president, or our voting record. We will stand before Him accountable for how we lived.
Maybe it’s time we started acting and living out what we preach. I think that would please Jesus. ~OC
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