Remember Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign slogan? "I'm with her." Not "I'm in favor of her proposals or political track record." No, it was, "I'm with her." How modest.

No matter how much I may respect any given politician, I'm not "with" them. For them, yes. But not "with."

The new Cephas Hour discusses this and other matters, including doing the right thing and a certain amount of longing for heaven, or the Lord's return to earth. Whichever comes first.

You can listen to the show on demand at its website. Hope you enjoy it, and thanks.

Far more often than not, life comes down to something straightforward. You do, or you don’t. Let’s examine the latter.

While the “thou shalt not” aspect has received undue prominence far too often in Christianity’s history, it is a legitimate determiner in our daily lives. You don’t make that suggestion. You don’t say those words. You don’t tell that lie about others or yourself. You don’t take that money. You don’t make that move. You just … don’t. And then, mindful of what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount about how anything you do in your heart constitutes completed action in His eyes, you go home and beat yourself up about it. Of course, Jesus forgives that, too, but the question is, do we forgive ourselves? Do we resolve to do better? Or do we ignore it and let things fester as we grow embittered and cynical to the point of disbelief that we can ever change?

God does not condone sin, but save for blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, He also refuses not to forgive it. We need to keep that in mind.

I prefer avoiding discussing politics in Cephas Hour episodes. This is rooted in the firm belief that the Prince of Peace must always trump politics (no pun intended). That said, without deeply diving into politics’ divisive world, an observation regarding recent events warrants mention.

Ofttimes in recent years, I have seen people become caught up, be it pro or con, with the false god of identity politics. For this definition, identity politics consists of over-association with an individual politician, becoming so enveloped and enraptured with them that there is at least in part an identity fusion, an overidentification with the person. The flip side is when we run across a politician we oppose so profoundly that even when their actions and views mirror our own, we immediately run in the other direction for fear of any association with that individual. Said positive or negative opinions can become so enmeshed in our being that they can stretch far beyond the realm of rational discussion regarding political ideology, policies, platforms, and practices.

This is dangerous in the extreme. Over-identification with a politician is a form of cultism. Be alarmed when someone professes themselves to be a leader, yet instead of preaching, “These are truths we must follow,” preaches, “Follow me,” and people do so. In the process, they willingly discard any realization that the one they follow is, like themselves, a fallible human being who will inevitably let them down, even as we let ourselves and each other down.

The only human being worthy of true devotion, following, and emulation is Jesus. Most of us have met good, if not great, people. Indeed, their strong points are worthy of putting into practice. But the truly great among us realize that, as the apostle Paul referred to himself, they are the chief of sinners. Christ Alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No politician can save your soul. Only Jesus can.

A final note regarding politicians: whether it’s Donald Trump or Joe Biden doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if it’s Ron DeSantis or Gavin Newsom. It doesn’t matter if it’s Ted Cruz or Chuck Schumer. It doesn’t matter if it’s Marjorie Taylor Greene or Eric Swalwell. They, like us, are sinners in need of God’s grace and forgiveness. Our prayer should be they know this and act upon it. Everything else is secondary. Not unimportant, mind you. But it’s still secondary.

We live in an ever-decaying world, one steeped in sinfulness and growing more sinful by the day. We live in a society where we continuously reelect governments that refuse to take care of the mentally ill and the drug-addicted, then wonder why our cities are becoming uninhabitable. We live in a society where the darkest perversions of what God intends as a sign and seal of his preferred unity with, love for, and passion for us are available online with a click of a computer mouse. We live in a world where cowardly business leaders consider it acceptable to fire people on a Zoom call without repercussions on themselves or their bloated paychecks. This is a strange, sad, sordid world in which we live.

I’m rather glad to be reaching the late autumn of my life. I do not welcome death, but nor do I fear it. My faith and trust is in Christ alone. Despite my stubborn, failing, and often misspent humanity, He has remained faithful throughout. He is faithful today and will be faithful through all the tomorrows. To Him, and Him alone, belongs all the praise and glory.