“…and do not do what I say?”

In Luke 6:46, Jesus is confronting people who profess allegiance to Him while refusing obedience to His teachings. Is He asking this of Donald Trump?

It would be difficult to argue otherwise.

Trump has frequently proclaimed his faith and engineered his photo shoots with the false prophet pastors of the prosperity gospel. The central issue in the passage, however, is not verbal profession, but obedience and fruit. Consider behavior that is undeniably disobedient:

• blatant rejection of Jesus’ command to love,
• public humiliation of anyone who does not bend the knee,
• hateful rhetoric toward immigrants and non-whites,
• absolute lack of repentance or humility,
• prioritization of power and personal loyalty over constituent welfare,
• deceit and corruption,
• indifference toward the vulnerable,
• adultery.

Case closed. No one can consistently display pride, cruelty, dishonesty, vindictiveness, greed and contempt and still credibly present themselves as aligned with the teachings of Jesus. The Lord is clearly asking this question of Donald Trump.

But what about those who enable, endorse and encourage POTUS’ disobedience to God? MAGA Christians…I’m talking to you. Christ’s warning against claiming Christian identity while living contrary to His commands applies to all of us. And while your demigod’s behavior suggests his case is open and shut, I believe that your cheerleading does the same.

Consider the Lord’s teaching:

• Love your neighbor as yourself – not just those that look or believe as you do (Luke 10:27)
• Be charitable toward the poor (1 John 3:17)
• Have compassion for the stranger (Matthew 25:35)
• Reject cruelty and vengeance (Romans 12:21)
• Be merciful and you will receive mercy (Matthew 5:7)
• Obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29)

MAGA, it appears your intent is to reduce welfare to the indigent, take healthcare from the vulnerable, remove anyone who doesn’t look like you from your orbit, and exact retribution from those who see things differently. At the very least, you enable, endorse and encourage an administration that has clearly pursued such intentions.

Again, Jesus asks “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?”

Perhaps these words from the epistle of James will resonate:

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” James 1:22-25

What is your political posture? Does it reflect the character and commands of Jesus to love all others, bless those who curse you, give generously, avoid hypocrisy and bear good fruit?

Asking for a friend.