Unless one sees the world through Trump-colored glasses, the use and abuse of the evangelical community by the former POTUS is astoundingly blatant. To those outside that community – as well as many within it – DJT’s ceaseless and unrepentant falsehoods, adulteries, invectives and narcissistic behavior suggest that he has yet to find his way to Christ. Yet his pandering to evangelicals has earned him widespread support among them.

Surely, one must question whether Trump truly subscribes to the conservative Christian agenda – or simply says what they need to hear to get their vote. Personally, I find it difficult to believe, for example, that he truly opposes abortion given his reputed carnal behaviors and the assertion by at least one of his partners that he disdains contraception.

That said, I truly wonder who is using who. While Trump obviously says what he must to get the evangelical vote, those same voters accept whatever they must for a man who promises a world that conforms to their legislative morality. They are not only enabling Trump’s moral corruption, they are encouraging it – committed to the belief that his hatefulness, spite and vengeance can be overlooked because they are the specific traits that will ensure the fulfillment of their righteous agenda.

Through their advocacy, these “Christian” supporters are selfishly discouraging DJT from displaying the mercy, grace and love commanded by Christ and essential for his salvation.

For instance, in His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7).

James’ discerning restatement of this truth is particularly relevant here:

“Judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy.”

James 2:13

Christians understand that we are undeserving of the Lord’s mercy; yet we need it for our salvation. In His unfathomable love and grace, He is most willing to give it. But as James cautions, to get it from God we must give it to others. Without His mercy, we are fated to eternity outside the presence of the Lord – and in someplace very unpleasant.

Yet, this is precisely that to which these cheerleaders would condemn Trump. Rather than offer correction as we are instructed to do in scripture – endeavoring to save his soul by encouraging obedience to God’s word – these “Christians” douse him with kerosene on the path to the eternal fire.

At the National Prayer Breakfast on February 6, 2020, Harvard professor Arthur Brooks echoed the Lord’s command to love your enemies. Former President Donald Trump responded to Brooks’ exhortation by saying, “I don’t know if I agree with you.”

As the president’s disagreement was not with Mr. Brooks but with God, it was an appropriate opportunity for his Christian advisors to deliver suitable correction.

Instead, when asked about DJT’s comments, Dallas pastor and Trump advisor Robert Jeffress replied, “I think the president was completely right in what he said.”

Donald Trump is who he is and he will face the judgment of our just and merciful God. But those who turn him from God by enabling and encouraging his disobedience will also face judgment.

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”

Matthew 18:5