“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

1 Timothy 2:1-4

For years I despised the corrupt partisan politics of American government and purposefully avoided anything to do with it. I even sat out several elections, believing that my vote wouldn’t make a difference anyway.

As I have matured over the years, my disdain remains for politics in general and for most politicians themselves, but my appreciation for representative government and our constitutional republic far outweighs my political frustrations.

Just as there is no perfect political system in a fallen world, there certainly is no perfect political candidate. Case in point — President Donald Trump.

We are all aware of Trump’s sordid past, including multiple wives and affairs. Many of us cringe when Trump goes on the offensive and starts name calling and publicly insulting his opponents. He has been accused of being divisive, chauvinistic, arrogant, boastful, crass, impulsive, tactless, and flat out rude.

I can understand how many Americans — including followers of Jesus Christ — are hesitant to endorse Trump. The most common objection to voting for Trump is on the grounds of his moral character — whether real or perceived. And although I do wish President Trump were a better moral example for the rest of us, I tend to see things a little differently.

First of all, how can any of us really “know” the true moral character of any president or politician? Unless we personally know someone at the local level of government, it is almost impossible to really know who our government leaders are behind closed doors.

Secondly, we are electing a president, not a preacher. Men of God who seek the office of pastor must meet the Biblical qualifications to oversee the church [see 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, 1 Peter 5]. But men and women who seek the offices of government are not held to any such standards,. Although God ordains all authority, including government officials, He is always working with severely flawed individuals.

With that being said, I believe every person must vote his or her convictions and conscience and be willing to live with that choice. For a good article on this very issue, read Dr. Michael Brown’s thoughts here.

Here are the top 10 reasons I will be voting for President Donald Trump in this election.

#1 — Pro Life

Since the landmark decision Roe v. Wade in 1973, it is estimated that the innocent lives of over 60 million babies have been murdered in the name of abortion in America. The sanctity of human life and the protection of the unborn is always THE PRIMARY ISSUE in any election! As long as politicians and judges have the power to regulate laws on abortion and use taxpayer dollars to fund organizations like Planned Parenthood, then I will always cast my vote for the most pro-life candidate.

Sadly, neither of the two primary political parties have done anything to end the shedding of innocent blood in our land. This present Democratic ticket of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris has been rated as the most pro-abortion ticket in American history, supporting the slaughter of innocent babies up unto birth. The Republican Party platform is uniformly pro-life, however, they have done little to nothing in my lifetime to end abortion.

Yet from the very first day President Trump stepped in office, he has been the most pro-life president in American history, taking immediate measures to fight for the life of the unborn. If you don’t believe me, here is an article with some of Trump’s pro-life accomplishments during his first term.

If it were this reason alone, I will vote for Donald Trump.

#2 — Friend of Israel

Ever since President Harry Truman cast a deciding vote in the United Nations which gave Israel the right to be recognized as a sovereign nation in 1948, America has been an ally to the state of Israel and a friend of the Jews. Not only are there theological implications in blessing and supporting Israel [see Genesis 12:3], but there are significant geopolitical implications as well.

Israel is the only true bastion of freedom and democracy in the Middle East, and yet it is surrounded by hostile, enemy nations who overwhelmingly refuse to recognize Israel’s legitimacy to govern herself in her own land. If America withdrew her support from Israel, the Jews would be threatened again with extinction.

President Trump has proven to be a faithful friend of Israel and has taken Middle Eastern relations to a historical level of peace.

First, Trump recognized Jerusalem as the eternal capital of Israel — which is what God says in His word — and in an historic move, Trump relocated the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.

For the LORD has chosen Zion;
he has desired it for his dwelling place:
This is my resting place forever;
here I will dwell, for I have desired it.

Psalm 132:13-14

Furthermore, Trump has since reached peace deals between Israel and other Middle Eastern nations — such as United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan — normalizing relations between these countries for the very first time in history.

#3 — Border Security

Trump campaigned on building the wall in 2016, promising to secure our southern border with Mexico and to stop the influx of illegal immigration and trafficking into the country. Not only is border security necessary to protect America from potential terrorists attacks, but also it will prevent overwhelming numbers of illegal immigrants from entering the country and potentially placing irreparable stress on our economy.

As of October, the Trump administration has built or reinforced over 300 miles of border walls, with over 500 miles to go. Here are the latest figures on the Trump Wall Construction.

#4 — Fighting Human Trafficking

One of the primary plagues of our present day is the epidemic of sex trafficking and the human slave trade. It is estimated that some 25 million human slaves are being held against their will around the world any given day, most of them women and children for the purposes of sexual exploitation. This is another reason border security is so important, knowing that thousands of children are trafficked into the U.S. each year to be sold into a lifetime of slavery.

President Trump and his administration have been intentionally fighting against human traffickers and will continue to do so if elected. Just recently, the U.S. Department of Justice pledge $100 million to combat human trafficking, and Trump just released his comprehensive plan to continue this fight if reelected.

#5 — Conservative Judges

With so many policies and major decisions being decided by both federal and Supreme Court judges, I will vote for the candidate who is committed to appointing conservative justices who uphold the Constitution of the U.S. and who do not attempt to legislate from the bench. So far President Trump has appointed 220 conservative federal judges, including his latest nominee who was confirmed to the Supreme Court — Justice Amy Conny Barrett.

#6 — Economic RESOLVE

Before Covid-19, the American economy was running at record strength, with unemployment rates at historic lows. In spite of the unprecedented economic fallout created by this Covid “crisis,” the economy has held its own and is making a much faster recovery than expected. Read the latest here at the Wall Street Journal.

Few will debate that economic acumen is one of Trump’s greatest strengths, and his ability to make business deals has helped the American worker more than anyone else. Trump has been working to bring overseas manufacturing jobs back home and to keep energy costs low, among other things. Trump also is committed to putting America’s best interests first and is not afraid to stand up to foreign powers like Russia, China and the EU.

#7 — Non-Partisan

Although Trump again is running on the Republican platform, I appreciate the fact that he is not a career politician and is not tethered to partisan politics. He is more pragmatic than partisan. There are many in Trump’s own party who publicly despise him for this very reason.

This is one of Trump’s most appealing aspects to me. Most politicians spend a lifetime making political favors and padding their pockets with special interest lobby groups, so by the time they reach the top, their hands are tied like puppets. Most politicians enter the game with modest incomes only to become multi-millionares by the time they’re through.

President Trump, on the other hand, made his own fortune in private business, put up much of his own money, and did not depend on the millions of dollars from special interest groups, which gives him the freedom that few presidents have ever had.

If you think about it, what would motivate a man to give up a life of wealth and comfort, risk financial loss, suffer relentless public scrutiny, and willingly put himself and his family in the direct aim of character assassination? Unless … he really wanted to make America great again.

#8 — Military Strength and Morale

President Trump has rebuilt the morale and strength of the U.S. armed forces, while at the same he is bringing more and more troops home from overseas. I agree with Trump’s policy to avoid senseless foreign wars while bolstering our military and protecting our homeland defense.

#9 — Law and Order

Trump supports our police and men and women in uniform and will not stand for civil unrest and the violent riots that have marred our country over the last 6 months. While Trump has acknowledged that there will always be individuals that misrepresent our law enforcement agencies and abuse their powers, the overwhelming majority of our police officers in this country are loyal, honest, men and women of integrity who desire to keep our streets and neighborhoods safe for society.

I believe that our law enforcement agencies will be supported, well-trained, and properly funded under Trump’s administration, as opposed to the socialist cries of “defund the police” that have become all too common from other political leaders.

#10 — Promise Keeper

My final reason for voting for Donald Trump is simply because, by and large, the man does what he says. Last time I checked, this is rare among politicians. Most will tell us what we want to hear until they are elected and then do what they want for the next four years.

Not Trump. He has kept virtually every promise that he has made to the American people. If we are going to measure the morality of a political candidate, how about we start with this simple standard.

Have they done what they said they would do?

If I a measuring Trump by this standard, then he has kept his word, and I can live with a president that at the very least, keeps his word to the American people.