5 Ways Christians Should Respond to Trump's Assassination Attempt
As lights in a dark place.
Well, I had this article planned before the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. I’ve changed it a little bit to fit the moment.
Regardless of a person’s political views, we should all be able to agree that this is wrong. Tragically, at least one innocent bystander was killed by the shooter (as of Saturday evening).
As Christians, what should we do when we are faced with passions and bitterness like this in our nation? Both sides of the political aisle are driven by fear right now - and everyone is preparing for “doomsday” if their candidate loses the election.
Thankfully, God didn’t leave us without guidance about what to do during these times.
Do What’s Right.
The period of the Judges in the Old Testament takes place after the death of Joshua and before the time of the kings. The book of Judges highlights one of the most difficult times in the history of Israel because of its continual rebellion against the Lord.
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25)
But during this time when everyone was doing whatever they wanted to do, you have the book of Ruth. Although Ruth was a foreigner, she chose to be loyal to Naomi and Naomi’s God - the Lord. Also, you have Boaz following God’s law, as evidenced by his care for Naomi and Ruth.
During a time when most people did what was right in their own eyes, you have a few people who remain loyal to the Lord and serve Him faithfully. And the Lord blesses these faithful people - they end up being the ancestors of David, and ultimately, Jesus Himself (Matthew 1:5).
You could also consider the examples of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego (Daniel 1, 3, 6). They chose to do what was right and remain faithful to God, no matter what it might cost them.
During a time in our nation and in this world when many people just do whatever is right in their own eyes, we must be God’s people - the people who do what is right according to God’s word.
We must not compromise what’s right for the sake of power, fame, or wealth.
Remember Who the Most High Ruler is.
In Daniel 4 and 5, we receive a powerful reminder about who the most powerful ruler really is.
God told King Nebuchadnezzar he would be humbled “until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses” (Daniel 4:17, 32). Once Nebuchadnezzar had learned the lesson and humbled himself, he issued one of the most interesting pronouncements a leader ever addressed to his nation.
At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble. (Daniel 4:34-37)
In Daniel 5, Belshazzar (probably Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson) refused to humble himself before the Lord, although he knew what the Lord had done to Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 5:18-23). As a result, the kingdom was stripped from Belshazzar and Babylon fell (Daniel 5:30-31).
Now certainly righteous and just rulers are a much greater benefit to a nation than wicked rulers (Proverbs 29:2, 4). Regrettably, neither option for us in this election fits the bill of being a “righteous” or “just” ruler.
But regardless of who lives in the White House and serves as President of the United States “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”
Let’s always remember that.
Pray for Your Leaders.
Christians should be praying for their leaders.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
Our prayers to God on behalf of all people - even our leaders - should include prayers made on their behalf and offering thanks.
The Christian’s motivation behind these prayers is that we should desire the same thing God does - that all people will be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.
The life that is consistent with this desire is a “quiet” and “peaceful” life that is godly and respectful. This is the kind of life Christians should want to live - not the life of a political revolutionary, but a life that focuses on letting our light shine in our community, serving God, and caring about others (Matthew 5:13-16).
Be Subject to Your Leaders.
I wrote an article about this a few months ago, so if you’d like a deeper dive into Romans 13:1-7, be sure to check out those articles here.
The point of those passages is that Christians are to respect the authority of their government leaders because they receive their authority from God. So if we respect the authority of God, we must respect the authority of those He gives authority to.
Peter made a similar point while calling on Christians to consider the example they set before the world.
Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. (1 Peter 2:13-17)
Christians should be people who demonstrate their deep respect for God’s authority by the way we live our lives - and that is supposed to extend to how we interact with our governing authorities.
Regardless of who our governing authorities are, we are supposed to be respectful and subject to the authority of the government and those in positions of authority.
Give Your Attention to Doing Good Works.
When he wrote to Titus, Paul connected being subject to rulers to doing good works.
Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. (Titus 3:1-8)
While the world around us descends into hatred and bitterness towards each other, especially in the political arena, God’s people are commanded to be different.
We are to be actively doing good works, speaking evil of no one, being peaceable, and gentle, and showing humility to everyone. God’s kindness and love toward us should motivate our behavior and how we treat others.
While both sides in politics wail about how the other political party is destroying the country, let us be the ones doing good in our local communities. Let the world see Christians as beacons of light and hope in this dark world.
Even with wicked, awful leaders in our government, we can have a tremendous impact for good in our neighborhoods and cities.
Turn off the doomsday speeches from the mainstream media and go out into the world to be the good people are desperately looking for. Just imagine the good that could be done in this world and the kingdom of God!
It may be a dark moment in the history of the United States, but the future is bright for God’s people - Christians.
I pray we do not get caught up in the hatred, bitterness, fear, and violence happening in our country.
We have a message of great hope to show and tell this world! Make sure your community sees the good news of Jesus Christ in you!
Amen!
Thank you. You took ideas that were on my mind but not well formed and you articulated them well