It’s about living our faith
To the Editor:
I still remember September 27, 1953. That was the Sunday my brother, Greg, and I were baptized and committed our lives into following the way of Jesus Christ. From that day at Second Avenue Methodist Church in Rome, Georgia, I have attempted to live as a person of faith.
Since we live in the Bible Belt, I am certain many of you treasure such a holy moment in your lives. Our church-faith experience taught us to love one another as we sang “Jesus Loves the Little Children.” Hate was wrong and forgiveness was right. We welcomed all in worship and remembered to care for the poor and the least of these. We were not to judge but to thank God for forgiving our sins through Grace. Yes, all of this was part of my faith journey and for me to serve as a United Methodist minister for over 50 years.
As a follower of Jesus, I am struggling with a person who is running for President of the United States. One who reflects the opposite of “Christ like.” I wonder where and when he was Baptized. What local congregation did he attend for worship? With what denomination is he affiliated? Where does he faithfully worship now? He says the Bible (which he held upside down) is his favorite book. Yet, he seems incapable of sharing a cherished verse from the Old or New Testament. I have never met a person of faith who couldn’t quote or paraphrase at least one Bible verse.
To say, “I love it all and it’s private” is a slippery way out. Six-year-old children can quote a Bible verse and as Christians we are to proclaim the Gospel, “For God so loved the world,” not to shy from it. When asked the Greatest Commandment, Jesus was precise and challenging: “Love God & your neighbor.”
Making fun of a young man with a speech impediment, calling women hurtful names, encouraging others to hit a dissenter, referencing s***hole countries, suggesting shooting fellow Americans, inappropriate relations with women — these actions are not a display of Godly character nor is it loving our neighbor. Please also listen to the former President’s language, including speaking of a respected golf pro’s anatomy. My parents and surely yours would not accept such vulgar outbursts from us.
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If Mr. Trump claimed no faith, I would respect his choice while it would not be mine. Yet to claim to be a follower of Jesus, one must display one’s Christian faith. Surely, no objective person can state that the former President is a reflection or example of one who faithfully follows Jesus. Something many of us understood when we were 7 years old — it’s all about living our faith.
Dr. Mike Cordle
United Methodist Minister, Retired
Highlands
