Blessed are those who Mourn…

When you look at this picture it’s tempting to see a humble and tired man being guided by Christ.

But look closer…

Do you see a man who cares about those in need, who looks to use his wealth and power to spread generosity and God’s love? Or do you see a man consumed by GREED who has made a living defrauding others to horde wealth, build up his own name, and then use that power to punish those who oppose him? Do you see a man who realizes he is poor in spirit or do you see a man who “doesn’t need to ask for forgiveness” because he “tries not to bring God into the picture?”

*Blessed are the poor in spirit….

Would Trump be Lazarus sitting by Abraham’s side or the rich man alone & on fire in hell shouting orders across a chasm still thinking he is superior to others?

….for theirs is the kingdom of heaven*

Look closer at that picture. Are you focusing on the wrong man?

Do you see a man who lives a generous life in balance with his personal appetites or do you see a GLUTTON constantly seeking to feed his ego, living in gold plated excess, indulging in personal gain and pleasure regardless of the needs of others? Do you see a man with a meek heart eager to be a humble servant to all people? Or do you see a man only interested in serving those who serve his interests, spurning the plight of black lives matter and the sorrow of “me too” with the contempt of an enemy, while always eager to repetitively whine “what about…” to place his concerns above the concerns of others?

*Blessed are the meek…

Would Trump hear the people praising David and respect God’s blessings on David, or would he scream fake news, insist on loyalty, divide his people…and send his troll army to chase David around Twitter mountain?

…for they will inherit the earth.*

Do you see it yet? Really look at that picture.

Do you see a man who works hard for the greater good, or a SLOTH who funnels most of his energy into petty drama, who is eager to cheat, and take credit for work he didn’t do, all with indifference to higher purpose? Do you see a man who faces his failures with humility and a hunger for the righteousness of God, or a man who exalts his own honor with lies, excuses and blame when his inaction ends up costing 200,000 lives?

*Blessed are those who hunger for righteousness….

Would Trump be Noah working tirelessly for the righteousness of the Lord, or the arrogant King Nimrod of Babel who builds towers and barriers as monuments to his own self righteousness?

…for they will be filled.*

Do you see it yet? Or are you still missing the ironic truth in the picture?

Do you see a man humbling himself and sacrificing for others or a man saturated in his own PRIDE who basks daily in his own glory, while cocooning himself in vanity, faux religiosity, and a defensive fury towards anyone who doesn’t idolize him? When Trump is merciful is it towards the less fortunate like immigrant children trying to escape violence and poverty, or is it to fellow power hungry criminals like Roger Stone?

*Blessed are the merciful….

Would Trump be the good Samaritan & stop to help someone who viewed him as an enemy, or would he step over him to avoid tarnishing his reputation & then suggest the injured man is a secret agent of AntiFa?

…for they will be shown mercy.*

You may want to check that picture again. Really look this time.

Do you see a man with a deep respect for women who is in control of his passions or a man so ruled by his LUST its led to 3 adulterous marriages, 2 rape allegations, 28 sexual assault allegations, & public sexual appetites that border on incestuous & pedophilia? Do you see a man pure of heart who desires to see God in every soul, or a man who seeks to use, deceive, abuse and pay off others to satisfy his desires regardless of the cost to the souls of those around him?

*Blessed are the pure in heart…

Does “everyone who looks at a women with lust in their heart has already committed adultery” translate to “just locker room talk” in the new DJT version of the bible?

…for they will see God.*

Take your time. Are we looking at the same man in the picture?

Do you see a man content and humbled with the position God put him in, or a man so tormented by ENVY he has spent his entire presidency trying to tear down his predecessors, craving the adulation of his enemies and allies to such an extent he attacks them, even wishing hell on them after death? Do you see a man persecuted for glorifying God and sacrificing for the souls of others, or do you see a man who persecutes others for not sacrificing more to glorify his own gaunt soul?

*Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness…

Would Trump be the one washing Jesus’s feet with expensive perfume, or would he be the one negotiating how much silver he could line his pockets with to sell him out?

…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.*

Really look at that picture? Do you see what the rest of us see?

Do you see a man full of love who seeks justice through peace & grace or an abusive man whose heart is so hardened with WRATH his primary method of relating is to double down on insults, lies, & revenge in an effort to dominate rather than unify? Do you see a peacemaker or a man who gassed & brutalized his own citizens because he viewed them as an inferior enemy, all so he could use the bible as a prop trophy to showcase his wrath?

*Blessed are the peacemakers…

Would Trump be Moses, humble in his weaknesses, pursuing peace through Gods guidance, or would he be Pharaoh acting in bad faith through lies, exacting revenge through a heart so hardened by wrath he’d rather bring about violence, plagues & death than show weakness?

…for they will be called God’s children*

Last chance. Really look at the picture.

Do you see Jesus Christ in this picture…or do you *want* to see Jesus in this picture?

Look again.

That’s not Jesus.

Its Charles Manson.

I’ve seen this pic shared by Christians and Trump supporters numerous times over the past few weeks & it really shouldn’t surprise me as much as it does. I honestly don’t think there’s a better image that symbolizes Trumps presidency. It’s a near perfect depiction of Trump and his supporters.

At this point after all the lying, corruption, cruelty, arrogance, hatred, greed and abuse would they even notice if the beatitudes & everything Jesus stood for are completely absent from Trumps presidency?

Would they notice if Trumps primary leadership skill is his ability to sell indulgence in the 7 deadly sins as “Patriotism?”

Would they notice how effective that leadership has been, and that by helping Trump spread his patriotic blend of arrogance, fear & lies they’re endorsing & indulging in the seven deadly sins themselves?

Do they notice how routinely excusing & endorsing these sins has created a blind allegiance to “MAGA” over “WWJD?”

Do they notice how much defending sin with bizarre conspiracies & cookie cutter “what about…” excuses sounds like the faithless mantras of paganism?

Do they notice “MAGA” aligns more with the idolatry of a helter skelter cult than any biblical definition of discipleship & Christian witness?

If a tree is known by its fruits…are we still confused about 2020 or does Paul need to break out his pen & scold America with eloquent rhetoric?

Now that you know who is really in that picture, what do you see? Do you see a man whose actions are led by the Holy Spirit or a man with the spirit of Charles Manson leading a cult?

Do you see disciples of Christ mourning the sins of Trump, or disciples of Trump causing mourning in America by celebrating sin?

Romans 7:19 “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing.”