Obama and Christianity

Amid the raging controversy over the “Ground Zero Mosque”, burning Korans, and the Muslim outrages world wide, we have an issue of importance to some about the religious identity of our president. Rather than share my opinion, I shall turn to Mychal Massie and quote a post in its entirety which I found at The Vail Spot .

It consists of Massies’s analysis from his position as a Christian and active in public and private life. I encourage you to read on and form your own opinion.

“In the aftermath of Obama's unsolicited, controversial dictates over the Ground Zero mosque debate, White House image-makers are now trying to convince the public he is a devout Christian. Specific to that point, he may not be a Muslim, but I'm convinced he isn't a Christian, either.

As evidence of his devoutness, the White House has entered into evidence that he allegedly prays every day. Let me be clear – praying every day no more makes one a Christian than walking across a stream makes one a fisherman.

A true Christian, i.e., a born-again believer, is a person who has put his faith and trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ – including His sacrificial death on the cross as propitiation/payment for our sins, His crucifixion and resurrection and the understanding that this same Jesus will, at a time appointed return to gather unto Himself His own.

Simply believing there is a God or "god" doesn't make one a Christian. The New Testament tells us, in James 2:19, that the very "demons also believe and tremble." In the Book of Job we have record of God addressing Satan (Job 1:6-12). Ergo, if Satan and the demons are acknowledged as knowing God exists from first-person experience – just believing there is a God simply places a person among a legion of not so pleasant beings.

My point being – prayer and belief sans confession, repentance and acceptance of Christ in one's heart is hot air. Being a "good person" doesn't make one a Christian either, nor does being an outwardly religious person. Being a Christian, devout or otherwise, is more than that – it placing our eternal life in the hands of One we have not seen, based on a faith that many scorn (John 3:1-21, Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 3:21-28, Hebrews 11:1-3).

Neither do good works make one a Christian. John Gotti and Al Capone did many good works within their communities, and still others convicted of heinous crimes are said to have seemed like good persons. The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God's word. That doesn't mean acceptance of others' sinful and aberrant behavior – it means love enough for the person committing same not to want to see them perish.

A true believer is a child of God, a part of God's family and one who has been given new life in Christ Jesus. Intellectuality has no place with God; self-anointed "christianship" is a falsehood.

Some will no doubt spew forth the plaintive wail of false teachers and those whose hearts have been hardened, and rail "judge not, less [I] be judged." But that, too, is most frequently misapplied. I'm not judging by appearance – I'm judging according to "life" and what biblically based, Christ-like attributes Obama displays. What one thing has he done or said since taking office that can be unequivocally said to be the words/actions of Christ in man?

Scriptures tell us that by our works we shall be known (Matthew 7:15-20). Where is Obama's fruit? I think it can be reasonably argued that, if he were a Christian following after Jesus, there would be no questions about his faith. If his actions were Christ-like, people wouldn't question whether or not he is a Muslim.

This isn't about color or race. There are many persons of color in very public capacities that do not have these questions swirling around them.

America is in need of truly godly leaders – and the fact that we are lacking same is evidenced by the condition our country finds itself in today. America is rapidly becoming a place where Christians need not apply. The country is the recipient of what the church is producing. If Obama had spent 20 years under a truly God-fearing, Bible-preaching, Christ-filled pastor, would we today have these questions? Obviously, we cannot say with absolute certainty that wouldn't be the case – but I submit the chances greatly favor that we wouldn't.

A true Christian is more concerned about the eternal benefits of service than about endorsing behaviors and teachings that are antithetical to the God of Scripture. God doesn't care what color a person is, nor whether you are a man, woman or child – He cares that we accept His Son, lead others to Him, and live Christ-centered lives that make others want to be like "that" which they see in us.

Specific to that point, I see nothing in Obama I want to be like."

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Mychal Massie is chairman of the National Leadership Network of Black Conservatives-Project 21 – a conservative black think tank located in Washington, D.C. He was recognized as the 2008 Conservative Man of the Year by the Conservative Party of Suffolk County, N.Y. He is a nationally recognized political activist, pundit and columnist. He has appeared on Fox News Channel, CNN, MSNBC, C-SPAN, NBC, Comcast Cable and talk radio programming nationwide. A former self-employed business owner of more than 30 years, Massie can be followed on Twitter and Facebook.

Thank you for taking the time to read Massie’s thoughts on this issue. Personally, I think it is outstanding.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon