Rhetoric, Heresy, Blasphemy or Truth?

(A response concerning some of the underlying themes of many posts & comments made in reaction to Trump's victory in the 2016 Presidential Election by a Christ follower who decided to vote third-party.)  

Rhetoric – The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.

Heresy -  Belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine.

Blasphemy – the act or offense of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things, profane talk

Truth - "The  sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever." Psalms 119:160

1.     “America is God’s Country.” Well, yes. But not any more than Germany, China, Uganda or Iraq. There is an unspoken comparative in this statement which is false. Psalm 24:1

2.     “America is God’s chosen nation.” In the Old Testament, Israel was God’s chosen nation through whom he would bring his PROMISE, although not all descendants of Abraham would receive God’s PROMISE. Despite the fact that “The PROMISE” and its meaning could be an entire thesis in and of itself, it can be briefly, but not entirely, defined as: JESUS CHRIST - the promised messiah that would give salvation to God’s chosen individuals as well as the inheritance of His eternal kingdom.  The salvation offered in Jesus Christ is salvation from the wrath of God which is rightly and justly due all mankind. All mankind stands under God’s wrath, BUT Jesus delivers his chosen bride from wrath. Romans 9:6-8, Galatians 3:15-29, John 3:36, Romans 1:18, 1 Thessalonians 1: 4 & 10

3.     “If God be for us, who can be against us. Romans 8:31” But who is the “us” in this scripture? We must read the entire chapter: those who are IN Christ Jesus (v.1), those in whom the Spirt of God dwells (v.9), those who are led by the Spirit (v.14), and those whom he foreknew, predestined, called, justified and glorified (v.29-30). We must stop using this verse out of context in a way that redefines “us” in the original text. "Us" is not the USA nor the Republican Party nor the Democratic Party nor any other group of individuals who are not brought together through the blood of Jesus Christ.

4.     “Christ’s blood is being poured out over the states, turning them red.” (I read this several times in reference to watching the unfolding of 2016 electoral votes map of the U.S.A.) This is a dangerous – do I daresay heretical? - statement. We must not abuse, manipulate, twist or redefine the gospel of JESUS CHRIST! We must not profane or make light of the precious blood of Jesus. Jesus Christ freely offered his life on the cross where his blood was poured out. But for whom did he offer his life? His bride! His blood is not a blanket that was poured out to cover the sins of our country, America. He poured out his blood to pay the punishment for the sins of God’s elect, those given by God to Jesus Christ. Titus 1:1-4, 2 Timothy 2:10-13, Isaiah 61:10, Revelation 21:1-8, John 3, John 17:6-9, Hebrews 9:11-14

5.     2 Chronicles 7:13-14 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” The Lord is speaking to Solomon in this passage. God’s purpose is to forgive his penitent people (not an entire country). He desires authentic, heartfelt repentance from the individual person who has been called by his name (humble themselves, pray, seek, turn). “Heal their land” refers to deliverance of the Israelites from drought, pestilence and the return of the exiles to their rightful home. For the elect, this includes the restoration of God’s people to a right relationship with Him.

6.     “To God be the glory because ‘my’ candidate won.” God is glorified regardless of the outcome of any election, and all outcomes fall under his authority. His glory may not be perceived in our limited frame of reference, but His eternal glory WILL prevail and He does everything for His glory. I submit there are children of God, sons of the promise, on both sides of the aisle in this election. It is offensive to look to the outcome of any election - from either perspective- and declare that its outcome proves God agrees with YOU. In whom or what shall we boast? To what or whom do we look and proclaim glory? Are you glorying in a shallow earthly victory while looking at fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and saying, "God is on MY side?" It is time to reject political sides and the presumption that God is choosing sides. WE need to get on God's side. We need to run under the cover of Christ and get on the side of the gospel. The GOSPEL is the power of God unto salvation. And it is ONLY the gospel that will save the citizens who call America their country. Romans 1:16, Romans 13:1, Isaiah 42:8, Isaiah 48:11, Jude 1:24-25; Philippians 2:9-11, Galatians 6:14