Come Out! Come Out, Wherever You Are...

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.  Matthew 24:24

In the political atmosphere of this time, animated as it is by incredibly ridiculous conspiracy theories spewed all over social media, lies spouted by politicians and given life by propagandists claiming to be legitimate news media outlets and open threats of assassination of government leaders and an attempted coup, it might be fun to see what comes of speculating by putting names and faces to the "false christs" and "false prophets" that Jesus mentions here.  But that would be taking this verse, which is a sentence from Jesus' discourse on the end of the age, out of context.  

What I want to focus on instead is the principle that is stated in this verse, that it is possible for the "elect" to be led astray. 

Now the works of the flesh are evident:  sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and things like these.  I warn you , as I warned you before that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  Galatians 5:19-21

Even though much of the white, Evangelical church in this country has been married to GOP politics, and has been considerably diminished in terms of both membership and reputation as a result of that marriage, I did not think Evangelicals would ever embrace someone like Trump.  It's not being judgmental to point out that Trump's lifestyle, for as long as he has been in the public eye, has exhibited many of the "works of the flesh" which appear in this New Testament passage.  And there's been no "repentance" from any of it.  In fact, he's said on more than one occasion over the past four years that he doesn't need to ask forgiveness for anything.  His Evangelical sycophants stopped asking him about it.  

On the surface, the trade-off is Evangelical support for Trump is that since they're not electing a pastor-in-chief, having a lying, cheating, adulterous, narcissist as President is better than having someone who supports abortion rights.  Notwithstanding the fact that conservative Evangelicals aren't really stepping up to the plate and doing anything themselves to actually reduce abortion numbers and find ways to help those who feel that abortion is their only option avoid making the choice, I can't really find Biblical support for the idea that one sin is worse than another, or that God gives you a pass on that list there in Galatians 5:19-21 if you've got your position on abortion correct. 

Abortion numbers went down significantly under both Presidents Clinton and Obama.  That's because the Democrats appear to have a good grasp on the root of the problem and have made resources available for helping women, especially those affected by deep poverty, meet needs which lead to them seeing that they can keep the baby.  They also know that simply overturning Roe won't end abortion, but will simply drive it underground, where the women who continue to see it as their only choice will put their lives in danger to get one.  When they're in power, they put resources in place which get at the root causes of abortion and the numbers go down.  When the Republicans are in power, they cut those services and the abortion numbers go up.  So how seriously can you really take them on this issue?  I mean, seriously?

And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do.  For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.  So it is no surprise that his servants also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.  Their end will correspond to their deeds.  2 Corinthians 11:12-15

Character in a Presidential candidate did indeed matter to conservative Evangelicals at one time.  Back in 1998, Dr. Richard Land of the SBC's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission had this to say about it: 

"I think that is shows that at least a majority of representatives in the US House are committed to the rule of law despite the political consequences.  And it's to the Democrats' shame, not the Republicans that this has been a largely partisan process.  No one has defended the president's behavior.  They have just said we should lower the standard for holding office...that's both irresponsible and shameless."

...to deceive, if possible, even the elect...

But that was Clinton, when they were interested in electing a pastor-in-chief.  And I say that tongue-in-cheek because the hypocrisy is so thick and because they seem so completely and totally blinded. 

...so it is no surprise that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness...

I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the justification and defense that is still going on three weeks after the horrific events at the Capitol building.  Blindness and ignorance persist, even after seeing Trump become the first President in history to challenge the constitutional principle of the peaceful transfer of power with a whopper of a lie about election integrity and call supporters to Washington to try to disrupt the process of counting and certifying electoral votes by capturing and threatening members of Congress along with the Vice-President.  Thank God that failed. 

A lot of what I see on social media indicates that a lot of conservative Evangelicals bought into the apocalyptic, end of the world rhetoric that was going around and being used by Trump's campaign to get votes.  Some of them sound like they've lost their savior, and I guess, from their perspective, maybe they have.  It's the empty feeling you get when you just realize that someone has been lying to you.  Conspiracy theories, the lies that were told about the election, all of that came from sources disguised as servants of righteousness.  Their end has indeed corresponded to their deeds.  If you think the outcome of the election is some kind of eschatological sign, you have definitely been deceived.  

A song from the Wizard of Oz comes to mind.

Who is wise and understanding among you?  By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.  This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every viable practice.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.  And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.  James 3:13-18

I'm a Christian, which means that I have acknowledged my need for repentance and forgiveness in order to be able to approach and stand in the presence of God, not in my own righteousness and good deeds, but in my confession of Jesus as the Christ, as the Apostle John wrote in his epistle to the church chapter 4, verses 1-3..  I belong to and worship with an Evangelical Christian church, one which has pastors who have kept its focus on its mission and purpose, centered inthe gospel of Jesus Christ and steered it around the rocks of politics, as well as despair and depression over COVID-19.  There are many churches in America, Evangelical, Mainline Protestant, denominational, non-denominational, independent, hierarchical, Caucasian, Ethnic or blended who still stand for the gospel, who are still focused on their mission and purpose and who have not bowed their knee to any idol of distraction 

Blessed are the peacemakers, said Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, for they shall be called the sons of God.  

In a season of crisis, peacemakers bring hope.