Christians Bug Me

Now that I have your attention let me clearly state that I am a Christian. As a Christian, I am convinced that I also bug people. When I bug people, I hope that it is mainly for reasons like speaking the truth in love.

What bothers me, and many other people, is when Christians act inconsistent. As human beings, we all have a degree of hypocrisy in our lives, and I am desperately working to remove anything in my life that does not reflect Jesus to the world. The reality that all of us have a long way to go to be like Jesus should keep us humble and deeply appreciative of the grace God has extended to us. Since we need mercy as we strive to be like Jesus, we should be merciful to those who bug us. So I am bugged, but merciful.

Now, let me tell you why I am “bugged”. I am bothered by influential religious leaders and their early endorsements of certain presidential candidates. As religious leaders, I believe there are three criterions they should use when endorsing a candidate.

First, the candidate should be qualified to lead our country. Second, the candidate should have a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the three divine institutions on earth: family, church and government. He or she should also understand how these three institutions should work together in their distinct functions to create a better nation. And thirdly, the candidate should be a person who desires to please God and help people in their position of service. According to the Bible, candidates whose religious doctrine teaches that they are a god, and candidates who support abortion are not pleasing to God.

So, why would influential Christian leaders give these candidates early endorsements?

Let me also state clearly that my loyalty is to the will of God and not a political party. So, in every presidential election, I try my best to objectively evaluate each candidate based upon the three factors I mentioned above.

With the exception of John McCain and Hilary Clinton, I was not familiar with the candidates in both the Democrat and Republican debates. My unfamiliarity and ignorance assisted me in being objective as I listened to each candidate.

Using my three standards as a frame of reference for endorsement, it did not take long into the second Republican debate for me to realize that one candidate stood head and shoulders above the rest. The reason I am “bugged” is because I feel the other religious leaders should have noticed this also.

Since they did not notice, it has caused me to question their motives for endorsing the candidates they chose. I hope they did not endorse certain candidates because they are fearful that Senator Clinton will win. Christians should be led by faith and not by fear.

I also hope their endorsement was not a political move to align themselves with the person they thought had the greatest chance to win. I am reminded of the fact that when choosing a leader, God looks at the heart as much as anything else. The shepherd boy David was the least likely to be chosen as a king by the people, but God had a different plan because of his heart. He was uniquely prepared by God to slay the giant of his generation (1 Samuel 16-17). More than ever, America needs a leader like David who is called and gifted by God to lead us in this time of uncertainty and division.

Anyhow, I want you to know that I am getting over my state of being “bugged”. Over the last couple weeks, I have been encouraged as the candidate, who in my opinion, stands head and shoulders above the rest based upon qualifications, worldview and Godly motives is gaining ground in the polls.

Because I know I am susceptible to deception, I fervently pray for God’s wisdom as I choose a candidate, and I pray for God’s will to be done as a new president will be elected to lead our country in 2008. More than anything else, I just want the best person possible in the oval office. To me, based upon my criterions and the candidates, the choice is obvious.

I am sure my thoughts have bugged someone. I’d love to hear about it.

May God’s will be done (Matthew 6:10)!