Make America Great Again!

     Make America Great Again is the slogan of our current President, Donald Trump.

America is a place of Liberty

     Make America Great Again is the desire of many American people. Whether a Republican who desires status quo or an citizen who feels our nation has slipped, most people want to live in a country known for its greatness.
     The question is, what is God’s definition of Greatness?
     Many people believe that Greatness is evidenced through great wealth, much success, or huge popularity, The “Great” are able to gather a huge tribe of followers who hang on every bit of news and seek to copy their ways. In effect, because of their worldly success, they become Messiahs. Jesus said, “if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (Mt 24:23-24)

Every citizen should VOTE

     In an election year, voters in the United States have the opportunity to place candidates (often who are common men and women) into positions of great influence. As a voter I worry about which candidate is right. Do I chose through a study of individual candidates or by choice of party. Do I look at issues, experience or past success. I worry about which candidate to mark on my individual ballot. We can make right and wrong choices.
     As a person of faith I began to search out what makes a candidate great. I first looked the words of Jesus for a guide in making right choices when I cast my ballot. I found some great advice in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said, “whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 5:19) A great person is one who does two things: 1) practices the lifestyle taught by the ten commandments; 2) seeks to lead others into a life of morality and love for God. How do candidates measure up according to this word from God?

Our Veterans showed the testimony of greatness

     We can in the beginning look at the ninth command, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” (Ex 20:16) Our media driven society is swamped with political ads. Do the candidates tell the truth, or do they bear false witness? (Do we fact check? Or just lazily follow the wide path that leads to our nation’s destruction?) Choosing our nation’s leaders is serious business, not just following a crowd.
     Other moral commandments make a difference also. Do candidates honor parents, murder others to get their way, commit adultery, steal or covet? We should measure the men and women we are choosing for office. Honesty and morality are important!

We should be proud of our nation!

     The question comes, can the voters expect all candidates to follow God in a secular society? Moses taught that observation of God’s laws will show “wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? 8 And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?’”
     Is it OK for candidates to be put under the microscope and examined? Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Mt 5:11-12)

Our flag is American Tradition

     Across the spectrum of world history many men and women have achieved the human status of “Greatness.” Their names fill books of history and conversations of common people. Some great people do good for others. Most great people do good for themselves. Often personal greatness comes at the expense of others. The Bible teaches, You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45)