Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, in the US presidential race share one thing, negativity ratings north of fifty percent. It is hard to understand how either became their party candidate.
Personally, I follow US politics closely maybe because of the years I spent reporting news in Israel. America with its superpower status effects nations all over the world and the US President holds great power.
The negatives out of this campaign have been hard to take. One thing after another claimed headlines and provided topic fodder for the gossip hungry media.
Speaking about abortion Hillary Clinton said, "deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases have to be changed."
Writing for Charisma News Ron Cantor wrote: "It used to be, you were considered compassionate, caring and humble to embrace the values of the Bible. Now you are the enemy ... according to Secretary Clinton and President Obama. It is only going to get worse." (Cantor is the director of Messiah's Mandate International, Israel). Hillary has mounting concerns over many other issues but suggesting we can rewrite or dismiss Bible teaching is a major concern for me at least.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump for gossip seeking journalists and commentators is the gift that keeps on giving. He supposedly represents the Republican Party but most of his party leaders have denounced and disowned him.
As headline after headline brings more negativity he slugs it out maintaining support from a nation tired of the political playbook.
It is time to take a deep breath. What headlines would appear if our biblical hero David ran for office today? His victory over Goliath would be a great start. He arrived onto the public arena with enormous public support. He is instantly hailed as a deserving hero, only sling and stones you say? What a champion? Even the incumbent King Saul is feeling threatened by his popularity. In line with the Clinton-Trump campaign, we must seek to destroy him! Saul cannot wait to meet David face to face to say, "You're fired!"
To report on King David we have to study the Old Testament books First and Second Samuel. As King he lacked suitable administrative skills and relied heavily on his cousin Joab. But if we are searching for headlines appropriate for our modern media, I think we have it. David had one of his own soldiers killed so he could take his wife, behavior that angered God (1 Samuel chapters 11 and 12). The reports would carry the story for weeks and surely our ratings jump high.
The Bible refuses to sugarcoat the character of its heroes.
Sinners
In fact the Apostle Paul speaks very clearly, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God," Romans chapter 3 verse 23.
Our Bible heroes Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Samuel and Elijah all had sinful moments. The famous Apostle Paul persecuted Christians zealously, Peter denied Christ, the Bible tells us the truth. There is no politically correct cover up, just the facts.
Years ago I watched and admired Archbishop Fulton Sheen on his television broadcasts. He was an eloquent and courageous communicator. Thomas Reeves wrote a biography of Sheen, 'America's Bishop, The Life and Times of Fulton J. Sheen.' (Encounter Books). Here is a brief quote: "Fulton had appeared at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C. He had accepted the invitation against the advice of his cardiologist, Dr. Bruno, who accompanied him to the event.
Officials asked Billy Graham, who was present, to be ready to fill in should Sheen be unable to carry on. Graham wrote later, "Even as he made his halting way to the podium, I silently prayed that God would grant him the necessary physical and spiritual strength."
"Mr. President," Fulton began, turning toward the chief executive and his wife, "you are a sinner." Having everyone's undivided attention, he then pointed to himself and said, "I am a sinner." He looked around the huge ballroom at the sophisticated and influential spectators, and continued, "We are all sinners, and we all need to turn to God..." Graham wrote, "He then went on the preach one of the most challenging and eloquent sermons I have ever heard."
If we want a sinless leader there is only One, Jesus Christ, the righteous.
The real danger comes when we are so downtrodden by sin that we refuse to rise up and allow God to bless us with His love.
Every hero in the Bible, apart from Jesus, is a sinner.
Every politician who stands for office, is a sinner.
You are a sinner. So am I. But we do not have to live there or be burdened by it.
It matters not the colour of our skin, the nation of our birth or the differences we created, we are all sinners but Jesus sets us free and washes us clean.
If we really want a sinless leader, Jesus is the answer.
Ron Ross is a Middle East consultant for United Christian Broadcasters (Vision FM). Previously he was radio news editor for Bridges for Peace in Jerusalem, Israel.
His career started at WINTV (Email: ronandyvonne@mac.com)
Ron Ross' previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/ron-ross.html