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While many Christians are rejoicing at Trump’s election success, many deplore his record of immorality. Before we become too self-righteous, it will serve us well to examine the character records of some of God’s greatest servants in the Bible.

David – the adulterous king

Here was a man ‘after God’s own heart’. Yet his moral failings are horrendous. It doesn’t get much worse than persuading your trusted army commander to murder one of his men, to enable you to steal the dead man’s wife.

The heart-wrenching Psalm 51 shows David’s response. Once his sins were exposed, he was utterly repentant. He acknowledges the depth of his sin and asks God to create in him a pure heart. David further promises that once God restores him, he will ‘teach transgressors your ways so that sinners will turn back to You.’ (Psalm 51:13)

Peter – the Christ denier

Throughout the gospels, Peter stands out as one Jesus took into his confidence, even allowing him to see His transfiguration on the holy mountain. How closely Jesus seemed to hold Peter as a champion of the truth.  When Jesus faced immense opposition and many of his disciples were leaving him, Jesus asked:

“You do not want to leave too, do you?”

Simon Peter answered: “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” [John 6:67-69]

Despite this confession, and others besides, when Jesus was arrested Peter spectacularly denied he even knew Jesus. Not once, not twice but three times. Like David, he was deeply sorry and Jesus, in His Sovereign Grace, restored Peter and allowed him to play a critical role in ensuring we know the truth about God’s character.

Trump – ‘God spared my life for a reason.’

In his speech following the announcement of his election, President-elect Trump referred to the two assassination attempts on his life. It must have given him much food for thought that the assassins’ bullets, endless prosecutions, demonisation and slander he suffered during the campaign, landed him with one of the most decisive victories in American political history.

Quite often, when a person has a narrow escape from death, in which maybe their whole life went before their eyes, it is a time to reassess, re-evaluate and recalibrate. Judging by the tone and body language of Trump’s declaration speech, he may well have had such an experience.

What are the implications for Christians?

If God spared Trump’s life to enable him to become President of the USA, then more than ever, he will need our prayers. As leader of the ‘free world’, the position of US President holds immense responsibility. We need to pray he will be attuned to God’s leading and be open to the wisdom God promises if we ask for it.

One of the great challenges he will face is bringing unity to a very divided America. It is unlikely those who have had free reign in expounding and implementing their radical gender policies, will quietly melt into the background. While both Biden and Harris have promised a smooth transition, they may not have complete sway over those they lead.

In addition, the devil won’t like that there has been such a decisive shift in sentiment.  He won’t like that people have voiced their opposition to his schemes to undermine American culture and values. He will throw everything at the President-elect and his administration. He will redouble his efforts to confuse, lie and steal. He will cause even greater misinformation to circulate.

Now is the time for us to be very sure of our identity in Christ. Now is the time to put on the full armour of God and be ready to stand.

Don’t think the culture wars and cancel culture, gender confusion and deviant ideology are a passing fad. It is being orchestrated from deep within American, and Australian institutions. It will take a massive collective effort to reverse the trends.

Thankfully, one very significant crack has appeared in the wall with Trump’s win.

Speak up for truth and righteousness

Trump’s win should embolden us to be more strident in voicing our opinion about damaging woke culture.

Churches have been silent for too long on issues of personal sexual integrity. The moral failings exposed in many churches left them shackled with guilt and shame.

It’s time for the church to return to the Word of God for its guidance. There will always be human failures. Hopefully the churches now have better systems in place for supporting victims and prosecuting perpetrators.

Nothing has changed in God’s word. We seem to have forgotten that Jesus’ main message was:

“If you love Me, you will obey My commandments.” (John 14:15)

Why does He say that? Because obeying His commandments to love God with all our heart, soul and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourselves, actually produces great benefit in our lives. It is the way we were created to be. It is what is best for us.

When we see the emphasis in the church shift to repentance, obedience and the pursuit of righteousness, then we will see the blessings flow.

The Australian Creed on Sexual Integrity

The publication of The Australian Creed on Sexual Integrity is a great tool, widely accepted by all the major denominations. If you agree please sign and share it as widely as possible. Let’s make a groundswell of support for moral integrity in this nation.

The Silent Majority need be silent no more!

We have been given a golden opportunity, a second chance, to react, like David, to the great challenges before us.

Surprisingly, we have seen massive cultural shifts before. Remember how nobody thought it would be possible to change the culture and addiction to cigarettes?  And remember the immense opposition to wearing seat belts. Sociologists said it couldn’t be done – but we did it.

If we set our hearts on returning our nation to the values on which it was founded, the values found in the Bible, the momentum will build, and leaders will arise. Let’s do it!

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