Salvation for the President?
This interchange went viral Monday (October 12) when President Trump was interviewed by White House journalist Peter Doocy on Air Force One.
PETER DOOCY: "You talked about how you hoped to end the war in Ukraine because it might help you get into heaven. How does this help? Does this help?"
PRESIDENT TRUMP: "You know, I'm being a little cute — I don't think there's anything going to get me in heaven. Okay. I really don’t. I think I’m not maybe heaven bound. I may be in heaven right now as we fly in air force one. I’m not sure I’m gonna be able to make heaven, but I’ve made life a lot better for a lot of people.”
WOW, what a response by the President. Some thought he was actually correct by recognizing there is nothing he, or I or you can do to earn salvation. Others interpreted his remarks as a testimony of the blindness to his desperate need to know Christ as Savior.
We must all understand the bad news: “There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God. All have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one” (Romans 3:10–12).
We must all understand the good news: “the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save” (Isaiah 59:1), so no one is beyond the reach of our gracious Lord.
Jesus came from heaven to rescue rebels like you and me. He lived the life we should have lived, but couldn’t and He died the death we deserved to die, but didn’t. His death was the only acceptable payment to God for our sin.
Mr. President, Jesus tells the story of a despised man (tax collector) who knew he was unworthy to be declared innocent (justified) by God and welcomed him into His eternal kingdom (Luke 18:13–14). He cried out, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner.” That man, Jesus said, went home justified before God.
Mr. President, please come to Him as that tax collector did, and you will find mercy, forgiveness, and eternal life.
Heaven is not for the righteous in their own eyes, but for those who know they need mercy. None of us can stand before God on our own record, but all of us must stand before Him on His perfect record. If you come to Christ humbly—confessing and repenting of your sin and trusting in Christ alone—you will find grace that is greater than all your sin.
Pray for our President and all our governing authorities to know Christ as their Savior (1 Timothy 2:1–6). Pray that we watch for opportunities to help those around us to know where to find the hope of eternal life.
Jesus promises, “the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” (John 6:37)
Pastor Jeff
Foundational Faith Statement #5. What is the chief end of man?
Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever (Psa. 16:8–9, 11; 1 Cor. 10:31; Phil. 4:4).