Good News for ALL People
The "Win" That Even Benefits His Enemies - [Expanded from my original article in the Stevens County Times (WA State, USA), December 2024 in my "Pastor's Perspective" Column. Used with permission.]
A Facebook friend (someone I thought was a friend until she blocked me; I’ll call her Barbi, not her real name, not even close) posted the following on her page right after Trump’s election: “America died. Freedom Died. Ethics Died. Healthcare Died,” and her distressing list went on and on. For her, Trump’s election meant a devasting end for America. And to top it off, while I was on her page, reading her “Chicken Little” doomsday posts, she changed her profile picture and the banner for her page to a black screen – nothing but black. Her friends were no better as they added their pathetic lamentations in the comments.
Some background: I was Barbi’s pastor before she returned to California about a dozen years ago. Therefore, because of our past congregational relationship, I felt it appropriate to respond to why she should not react this way. Well, at least I thought I could respond to her. I explained that those of us who voted for Trump were voting for safer borders, lower energy and mortgage rates, the rule of law instead of “lawfare,” and so on – it was “policy over personality.”
And, then there is this one thing I added: a “qualifier,” or maybe one would call it a “disclaimer” at the opening of my reply inferring my words may not make much of a difference – well, okay, I actually wrote, “This may be a waste of time…,” so that wording may not have come across very well. Apparently, it did not, because all I got back was a long, angry reply ranting something about diseases breaking out (Barbi is in nursing of one kind or another), and who knows what else because before I got the time to read it all, she excommunicated me from her social media world.
We would all agree that the recently concluded presidential campaign season has been exhausting on many levels. But then, isn’t that our usual reaction as elections come to an end? We are used to the flood of commercials filled with a constant barrage of slogans, promises, accusations, and mud-slinging.
Still, over the last eight years (maybe 12?), it is my observation that these campaigns have worked harder than ever to divide Americans, even equating “the other side” with murderous dictators out to rip up the Constitution. We all heard the fearful chorus of “Nazi” and “fascist” for the last several years, and now a mental health expert is advising Kamala supporters not to have family over for Thanksgiving if they voted for Trump – for their mental welfare. Pardon me, but that is pathetic. (Speaking of “pardons,”…well, never mind – for a later post).
While the haters and fearmongers are actively seeking to drive us further apart through their made-up rage based on their equally made-up predictions of doom and oppression, there is some good news out there. According to a CNN poll (broadcast Nov. 25/26), most Americans (53%) are excited and optimistic about the incoming president’s agenda, and even more are in favor of his cabinet picks (over 60%).
But wait, there’s more! Trump’s decisive popular vote win showed growing unity in favor of common-sense solutions to bipartisan issues about the economy and securing our border. Then, we witnessed key public figures (including former candidates) crossing party lines to support proven policies that benefit our country, regardless of the presidential candidate’s party affiliation.
This sweeping victory revealed that the majority of voters refused to take the bait of hate and fear spewing from the liberal talking heads and instead voted for policies over personalities. In this past election results, I hear an America that longs to return to better outcomes experienced by all population segments during Trump’s first term.* Also, this election was a sound rejection of the nonsense of the woke ideology of the day, as found in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and the trans-madness that puts boys in girls’ locker rooms. America voted for a return to common sense and the traditional values of our grandparent’s generation.
Even corporate America and Academia are waking up, too. Over the last year or so, no less than 17 major retailers and corporations, Walmart being the most recent, have announced the end of their DEI programs, as are a growing number of Universities in several states.** The leftist media has been dealt a significant blow in their collapsing viewership to the point of one cable network possibly being sold off next year. THIS news about these leftist lapdogs masquerading as news reporters is “Good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
My more significant point is this: if your candidate did not win, the reality is that you, too, will benefit from the conservative policies (if implemented by the incoming President-elect) that worked so well in his first term. As the economy improves over lower energy costs, our border is secured, and illegals are returned to their land of origin, everyone will benefit – regardless of who you voted for. And that is just the economy and safety in our cities and communities.
These leftist organizations, movements, and the leadership of the Democrat party embrace a racially divisive ideology of “identity politics” that cannot see beyond one’s skin color or sex (one of only two genders). On the other hand, the policies of the incoming conservative majority are founded upon biblical principles that open opportunities for all. Historically, the free market, limited government, competition, and a merit-based society benefit all. When these policies have been in place, it is “Good news of great joy for all the people” (regardless of race, color, or creed). That is, of course, only as beneficial to the citizens of our nation to the extent those in office apply them.
Biblical Christianity is the most anti-racist religion there is. Let me demonstrate with principles and teachings in Scripture: In Galatians 3:26, 28 (NIV84), we are told, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,… There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” All because “God does not judge by external appearance – He looks at your heart.” (See Gal. 2:6; 1 Sam. 16:7).
“But wait, there’s more!” As God, through Moses, instructed Israel how to set up their nation, He told them that there should not be a two-tiered legal system but that the foreigners among them were to be treated as the Jews in all matters of the law (Exodus 12:49). Furthermore, they were commanded not to mistreat or oppress the “aliens living among you” (the non-Jews) because “you were once an alien in a foreign land” (Exodus 22:21; 23:9). Racism, identity politics, and favoritism of one group over another was not to be tolerated in their nation. In this God-ordained form of government and society, everyone can benefit.
At Christmas, we recall that time-stopping “Silent Night” out in the fields around Bethlehem when the angel Gabriel appeared to the Shepherds. As the brilliance of the angelic messenger split the night sky, they were terrified, but the angel spoke calmly to them and said:
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for ALL the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11).
Christmas brings a grander “good news of great joy that is for ALL the people,” far exceeding anything a political election could deliver. This good news is that God the Father sent His Son into our broken and sin-sick world, estranged from Him and in threat of eternal loss if left to ourselves. We needed a remedy, a redeemer, a rescuer from our lost condition—to find some way, or some One, who could “reconcile” us to our Father.
And so, the Father prescribed that remedy: “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem (rescue) those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. (Gal 4:4-5). “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ… that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them…” (2Co 5:18-19).
When Christ died as our substitute for the crimes we have committed against the Law of a holy and righteous God, He did so equally for those who would reject Him as much as those who would come to Him in repentance for their sin. This good news is for all - the drug addict, the divorcee, the drunkard, the nerd or the goth, the teetotaler, democrat, republican, independent, communist, Marxist, white, black/brown, red, “olive,” and every letter of the “alphabet community.”
When the Lord looks upon this earth, He only sees human beings carrying His Father’s breath within them. And His heart grieves at the harm caused by those who have rejected His ways, yet the Father still calls even the worst to repentance. The “Good News” we celebrate at Christmas – that God sent Christ to rescue us from the coming wrath – is for all, regardless of their past, present, color, gender, family line, or economic status.
To each breathing being, He promises that “Everyone who calls upon the Name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:22). No matter your life situation, God’s gift for you is complete forgiveness and new life through faith in Christ through your repentance and commitment to Him. I encourage you: Be reconciled to God this Christmas – He’s already paid the price in full. If you are breathing – there is Good News that will bring Great Joy to you, too. Now it’s your move.
Picture at the beginning is a royalty-free image created by A.I.; *(“ The Trump Economy, Three Years In: What The Numbers Say,” by Maxim Lott, FoxBusiness.com, Feb 17, 2020); **(“Washington Free Beacon” website, “DEI Dies at Walmart: Retail Giant Ends Equity Trainings, Will No Longer Consider Suppliers’ Race and Gender,” by Matthew Xiao, Nov 26, 2024, online; AND, “High Ed Dive” website, “A Look At DEI Eliminations At Colleges Across The US,” by Laura Spitalniak, Sept 19, 2024, online - Respectively).