There was great rejoicing by conservatives when Donald Trump was finally projected as the next president of the USA. The election conjured up not only exciting prophetic implications, but a troubling sign as well.

No one was more grateful than me to have the most pro-Israel president in American history back in the White House! Yet, I was nagged by a very profoundly evil sight each time I saw results of ballot measures pertaining to abortion across the country. Ten states, including my home state of Arizona, had abortion on the ballot, and 9 of the 10 adopted pro-abortion positions. The only state to vote it down was deep red Florida, but only because Florida’s threshold was 60% rather than 50%. Astoundingly, well over half the people who voted on those measures were in favor of killing babies.

That alone is disgusting, but what rang especially loud is that Christians once again failed to go to the polls and vote their values. How do I know? Abortion measures won by 2-to-1 margins in most states where it was contested. That confirms the obvious absence of Christians at the polls. That is appalling.

It is so difficult to imagine why Christians who are eligible to vote neglect their God-given responsibility and privilege. Many people around the world would give anything to live in a free country where they would have a voice in who governs them. Yet, so many Americans take it for granted.

Beyond that, God commands us to live out our faith in every area of life, including the public square. In fact, religion and politics were intertwined in ancient days! The Greek word ekklesia is defined as “an assembly of the people convened at the public place of council for the purpose of deliberating” (Acts 19:39, for example), as well as the more-recognized meaning of “Christian assemblies” (“church” in Romans 16:4, for example). Priests and judges often sat at the city gate because that’s where politics and religion merged!

To abandon our responsibility is poor stewardship of what the Lord has given us.

Sadly, some who support murder of the unborn also profess to be Christians. Perhaps faith needs to be examined. One cannot love what God hates and hate what God loves, yet remain faithful to God’s Word.

Equally as sad, many view abortion as a “political” issue, though it is clearly a spiritual issue which the Bible addresses specifically. (Psalm 139, Jeremiah 1:5, others) In fact, it doesn’t get any clearer than Deuteronomy 30:19-20:

¹⁹ I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; ²⁰ that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days.

Experts indicate that one of the strongest endorsements for ballot measures pertaining to such issues is the pastor. Unfortunately, far too few pastors are willing to wade into the political arena for fear of offending someone or rocking the boat. Yet, the New Testament is full of examples of Jesus doing or speaking truth that some took offense to. (Turning over tables of moneychangers, addressing the rebellious as “brood of vipers” or “whitewashed tombs.”) He never set out to offend, but He acted righteously and spoke truth at all times, whether or not others would consider it offensive. Had abortion been on the ballot in Jesus’ day, you can bet He would have addressed it heading into an election! We need many more bold pastors willing to confront today’s issues with solid truth, regardless of whether or not some take offense.

The growing appeasement of the pro-death cult in America is disturbing. Could it be we are passing through a “sheep and goats” season in which the Lord is sifting out those who truly belong to Him from those who don’t? His sheep hear His voice and obey Him (John 10:27).

Woe to America if we continue down this path, regardless of who sits in the White House. I am reminded of Abraham’s plea with the Lord to have mercy on Sodom if only 50 righteous people were found within the city. The Lord promised mercy, but neither 50, nor 45, nor 40, nor 30, nor 20 righteous people could be found, yet the Lord still promised mercy if only 10 were found. (Genesis 18:22-33) One day there will be only a remnant. However, it was a last resort for Abraham. Though it reveals God’s grace to those who remain committed, life was not good in Sodom. Better to live with a righteous crowd than to be a small remnant in a disastrous land.

Unfortunately, America may become that disastrous land, and a remnant may be all that is left. Believers, if we can’t live out our faith in good times, how on earth do we think we will live it out in distressing times? Perhaps God is granting us a few more good days, weeks or years. What we do with them may ultimately separate us as sheep from the goats. Donald Trump is not a perfect man, nor is he the savior of the world. But he may just be the vessel God is using to extend religious freedom and some sense of morality before it all comes crashing down.

Let’s live out our faith in every arena with every ounce of our being while we still have it good!