Is Trump a Christian? He says he is, but do we believe him? To respond, we need to answer some other questions: What is a true Christian? Are there false Christians? What does it really mean to be a Christian? How can we tell a true Christian from a false Christian?
The word Christian was first used in Antioch of Pisidia. (See Acts 11:26)
What does being a Christian mean? It means a Christ-follower.
Jesus described what it means to follow Him: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24b KJV)
What does it mean to take up a cross? The symbolism was vivid: People in Jesus’ day had seen many condemned prisoners carry their cross, as He did, to their place of crucifixion. Then they died on it. It means total surrender to the point of death.
A “cross to carry” doesn’t mean a bunion on your toe, a difficult boss or struggling with losing weight. It is a symbol of complete surrender.
It means submission to do ANYTHING for Christ.
So, is Donald Trump a Christian — a Christ follower?
My answer is this first: You and I are not the judge of anyone’s salvation except our own. God alone is the judge.
Am I hedging for The Donald? No, this is the approach I take with everyone—it is a matter between them and God.
One of the reasons I don’t judge is because Scripture is so clear that there will be big surpriseswhen we get to the judgment: “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:22-23 ESV)
Wow, that passage is sobering.
So the bottom line is that you and I should not pronounce judgment on anyone’s salvation. We are all responsible for only one person: our self.
I will only answer for me. You will only answer for you. Trump will only answer for Trump.
But does this mean we don’t need to be concerned about the salvation of others? No! God has called His followers to testify and give people the opportunity to make their own decision about following Jesus. “Go and make disciples…” (Matthew 28:19)
If I could talk with Trump about his faith, I’d do what I have done for many others. I’d ask two questions:
Question 1: If you were to die today, do you know absolutely for sure that you would go to heaven to be with the Lord Jesus?
Common answer: “Wow, I’m not really sure.”
Question 2: If you died today and stood before the Lord and He asked, “Why should I allow you into heaven?” how would you respond?
Common answer: “Because I’ve been a good person.”
These common answers are quite sad because:
God wants us to know we are saved! “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13 ESV)
Our “goodness” cannot save us no matter how good we might be. The Bible says “He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5 Berean Study Bible)
We’re saved only by the free gift of God: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)
For help to receive salvation through faith in Christ please click HERE.
Finally, while it is unwise to make pronouncements about other’s salvation, we are called on in Scripture to discern people’s spiritual condition. We are not to pronounce spiritual judgment, but to discern if someone should be our leader.
In fact, Jesus told us to discern spiritual condition in the strongest of terms saying; “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.” (Matthew 7:6 NLT)
Wow!
So how can we discern people’s spiritual condition? Jesus said “You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act.” (Matthew 7:16a NLT)
So while you and I cannot answer the question “Is Trump a Christian,” we should look at his “fruit” and be discerning about his potential for leadership.
For a troubling look at Trump’s “fruit” click HERE.
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