I had to take a few days to simmer on this one, because this hits me deep.

To begin, let me address my critics, many who are supposed to stand as my brothers and sisters in Christ, but who have a problem with my outspoken rejection of Donald Trump.

I have heard the terms “self-righteous” and “high and mighty” far too many times, in regards to my opinion of our president.

Oddly enough, I don’t recall hearing that from anyone when I held the same opinion of Barack Obama.

Make no mistake, my position against Donald Trump is not the typical #NeverTrump platform. I don’t reject him because I would rather have Ted Cruz (who lost me early in the primaries) or Marco Rubio, or even Rick Perry, who most here know I always felt was our most experienced and capable option.

More than the very surface details that are apparent to everyone, namely, Trump hasn’t got a clue how to do this job, for me it has a spiritually-rooted base.

I could not trust a man with the sacred trust of my vote who violated every tenet of decency and my faith (and for the record, the same goes for Hillary Clinton).

1 Corinthians 5:11 AMP says, “ But actually, I have written to you not to associate with any so-called [Christian] brother if he is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater [devoted to anything that takes the place of God], or is a reviler [who insults or slanders or otherwise verbally abuses others], or is a drunkard or a swindler—you must not so much as ^[a]eat with such a person.

Does that sound like anyone we know?

This verse is speaking of anyone who claims to be a Christian, but continues on in those ways that God has called corrupt. The reason is to protect the reputation of the Church.

After all, if a lost and hurting world see those who claim to follow Christ acting as bad as what’s out there in the world, what is their motivation to call on the name of the Lord and be saved? Saved from what?

The Body of Christ is to be an alternative of peace, a beacon of hope – not business as usual.

Also, 1 John 1:8 AMP says, “If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word does not live in our hearts.]”

Donald Trump said publicly during the primaries that he had never asked God for forgiveness, because he’d never done anything to need forgiveness for.

According to the Word of God, Trump is a liar, and there is no truth in him.

BUT WE’RE NOT ELECTING A PASTOR!

Yes. I have heard that, as well. Often.

And it is true. We weren’t electing a pastor, but we were required, if we were claiming to be Christians, to apply the Word of God to our vote.

If the Bible tells us not to even eat with such a person, how much more does that apply to trusting such a person with the sacred trust of our vote?

I couldn’t do it, and I have no regrets.

I also have no regrets with taking a firm stand against the man now, even after the damage is already done.

None of this is to suggest I don’t pray for the man. I absolutely do, as well as all of our elected representatives.

My problem is in how Christians supporting a man like Trump damage their witness to the world. The Bible gave instruction for just this reason.

How much more damage is done when high profile Christian leaders abandon all godly reason to back a man such as Trump, no matter the cost?

I’m revisiting all this now because of one, disappointing instance from this past weekend.

Franklin Graham, son of legendary evangelist, Billy Graham, and head of Samaritan’s Purse, may not have been one of the more vocal Christian “leaders” supporting Trump through the primaries, and then the election, but he’s all in, now.

The media and enemies of @POTUS Trump have tried to drive a wedge between Russia and the U.S. https://t.co/x2ZCANjo38

— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) July 6, 2017

Vladimir Putin has journalists and political opponents murdered. He is an oppressive “strongman,” and there needs to be a chasm between our government and Russia.

Graham’s Trumpian turn against the U.S. media and talk of “enemies” of Trump, while promoting unity between our government and a nation that is hostile to ours, as well as to God is a new level of disappointing.

Graham, like many Christians, let fear guide his vote. They have grown so used to the way the world works, that they have forgotten their call to be courageous and to stand firm in the Lord.

“But the Supreme Court…”

But our God.

One more verse of Scripture, Matthew 5:13 NIV, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

In Jesus’ day, salt was used not just to flavor food, but to preserve. As the “salt of the earth,” Christians are called to preserve the gospel and the values instilled in us by Christ, while moving in a secular world.

Am I self-righteous for clinging to that? Well, the Word said I am made righteous by the blood of Christ and Christ alive in me, so it’s not “self” righteousness. I am broken and useless without Him. I recognize that, so how could I trade that off so cheaply?

Am I “high and mighty,” as so many have flung at me?

I am a child of El Elyon, the Most High God. He is high and He is mighty, so not me. I’m just doing what I can to cling to truth, not seeking the world’s approval, but trusting God.

This is my #NeverTrump position. It has not been entered into lightly. It is not a position of grudge, but one of faith.

Maybe some who are lumping #NeverTrump in with liberal Democrats and enemies of state need to consider that it’s more than a simple “dislike” of Donald Trump or partisan angst that motivates some of us.