December 18, 2023

Trump’s Immigration Tirade, Senate Scandal, Israel Update

December 18, 2023

Quote of the day:

"Christ comes at a time when you think not. Let us not sleep, therefore, as do others, but let us watch and be sober…”

^{- St. Cyril of Jerusalem}

Today’s Headlines

Was Decency Really on the Ballot?

Scandal has hit the Senate once again after a staffer from Bob Cardin's (D-MD) office was fired following reports that an explicit video was filmed in the Senate Hearing Room and released on social platforms.

The latest in scandals coming from Washington DC is being added to a litany of others in the current administration, includin indecent exposure on the White House lawn, illegal substances being discovered in the White House, the Navy hiring and recruiting drag queens, and Hunter Biden's indiscretions, among many others.

(*warning: some links contain sensitive material. We chose links that did not show the most graphic pictures, but click through cautiously as sites are continually updated.)

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The Remnant's Response

Jill Biden's tweet did not age well, and neither is our country. The latest display of debauchery in our nation's capital is exactly that: the "latest display." For decades now, sin has been welcomed, defended, and practiced with ever-increasing boldness, so much so that if God does not bring severe judgment on our country, He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah (Matthew 11:20-24). America's only hope is the same one the Lord prescribed for ancient Israel. Humble ourselves, pray, seek God's face, turn from our wicked ways, and trust a gracious God to hear us from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). The current administration's endorsement of taxpayer-funded abortion and "gender-affirming" "sex change" surgeries, endorsement of same-sex marriages, allowance of indecent exposure on the white house lawn and worst of all its applying pressure on other nations states to follow our rebellion is inexcusable and is worsened by the support given to it by millions who call themselves Christians. Indeed, we are a land of people who acknowledge God with our lips while our hearts are far from Him (Matthew 15:8). The solution is not only Godly outrage (Ephesians 4:26) but a steadfast commitment to the totality of the mission Christ has given to us which is to make disciples that we teach to observe everything the Lord commanded (Matthew 28:19-20). Gone are the days we can measure our 'churches' success by attendance at our Christmas Eve services or by how much they like our podcast. What the world needs now, and the Lord has always intended the world to have in His people, is people who speak THE TRUTH (1 Corinthians 16:13). The church of Jesus Christ has to lead the way out of this darkness (Matthew 5:16). There is no other plan, no other possibility. After first cleaning its own house (John 2:13-17), it must get serious about calling sin sin and stop playing nice with immorality and rebellion (2 Corinthians 11:4).

Remnant, "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time 'HAS COME' when they will not endure sound doctrine but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry" (2 Timothy 4:1-5).

Trump’s Immigration Tirade

Former President Donald Trump sparked controversy at a New Hampshire rally, claiming immigrants, including those from Africa and Asia, are "poisoning the blood of our country." He echoed these sentiments on Truth Social, linking illegal immigration to "poisoning the blood of our nation." Critics, including the Biden campaign, likened his language to Adolf Hitler's, who used "blood poisoning" in his manifesto.

Republican rival Chris Christie condemned Trump's remarks as "disgusting," criticizing fellow Republicans for tolerating such rhetoric. Trump's focus on immigration, a campaign theme, led to heated debates, with allies in Congress prioritizing border policies. This isn't the first time Trump used the term "blood poisoning" in criticizing immigration, drawing mixed reactions from politicians.

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The Remnant's Response

Before reading this response, please check out 12 principles to help you think biblically about immigration law, border security, and our responsibility to provide hope for the world. These biblical principles make a clear case that nations have a right and responsibility to protect their borders. Meanwhile, any talk of immigration, whether legal or illegal, being a problem because it causes "blood poisoning" is both foolish and unsupportable when looking at God's word.

If you want to make sure error doesn't 'immigrate' into your thoughts about politics, then build a wall of conviction that will help you resist the constant urge to defend a particular political party or politician. Oswald Chambers, the celebrated author of the devotional "My Utmost for His Highest," was right to remind us to "beware of anything that competes with your loyalty to God." Iain Murray, the founder of the great reformed publishing house Banner of Truth, exhorts, "Faithfulness to God is our first obligation in all that we are called to do in the service of the gospel." Both are correct. God's first command was to love nothing more than Him (Exodus 20:3), and His second was not to worship or idolize anything more than Him (Exodus 20:4-6).

When our loyalty to a party or person causes us to swallow our prophet's tongue, we lose our credibility, and our favored party or person loses a true friend (Proverbs 27:5-6). The remnant's focus should be on defending principles, not parties, righteousness, not Republicans, doctrine, not Democrats. Our engagement with the culture around us should be informed and shaped by the whole counsel of God rather than our favorite Twitter account or politician.

The church of Jesus Christ is called to be the conscience of the state, not the public relations department for a party or politician. The faithful church that exposes evils in the current administration must also rebuke imprudent rhetoric from Trump.

If someone misspeaks, and we all do, especially the more we talk or write (Proverbs 10:19), they have an opportunity and obligation to make it right by immediately retracting their words, acknowledging their error, and seeking forgiveness as appropriate (Proverbs 6:1-6). "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit" (Proverbs 18:21). Those whose tongue produces the fruit of foolishness deserve a fool's rebuke, irrespective of our closeness to or fondness of them. Grace should be readily available to all who seek it. What human can claim to have tamed their tongue (James 3:8)? But the man who will not tame his pride to repent of his foolish tongue must be admonished and rejected as a leader until he does (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

It is not diversity of blood that poisons a society, but a rejection of the Bible, coupled with the immigration of false ideas, syncretism, and compromise, which divides and poisons it (1 Kings 11:1-14).

Israel Update

Several European allies and domestic protesters are urging Israel to implement a cease-fire amid mounting concerns about its conduct in the 10-week-old war in Gaza. The calls for a truce come after a series of shootings, including the killing of three hostages who were waving a white flag. Some protesters are urging the Israeli government to renew hostage negotiations with Hamas, whom Israel aims to destroy. The U.S., while providing military and diplomatic support, is expressing growing unease over civilian casualties. The war has devastated northern Gaza, leading to the displacement of nearly 85% of its population, who now rely on limited humanitarian aid. Amidst international pressure, Israel remains committed to its goal of eliminating Hamas despite calls for a political solution and concerns over civilian casualties.

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The Remnant's Response

See this past Remnant Response discussing why Israel (or any nation attacked) has a right to defend itself against evil. Here, we also discuss that just because Israel is too often referred to as “God’s land,” those who are directing its government and military are not necessarily “God’s men” and, as such, will make egregious mistakes and sometimes endorse behaviors that do not represent God’s best. War is ugly, necessary, messy, always unwelcome, and filled with ‘innocent’ suffering. Human justice is not perfect justice, but it is God’s instrument for today (Romans 13:1-4) and, as such, should be implemented, bathed in prayer (2 Timothy 2:1-2), and administered as wisely as possible (Proverbs 20:18).

Other news you should know

🇺🇸 Secret Service motorcade involved in accident, President Biden uninjured.

🏈 Record-breaking attendance at this game, despite tickets as cheap as $0.45.

🔍 Florida GOP chairman suspended over ongoing investigation.

📄 Matthew Perry’s cause of death revealed.

🏆 Lebron got an Emmy?