It is an honor to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., and a great treat for me as I can enjoy a day off. Not only did this great man leave me a wonderful example of leadership and some wonderfully inspiring speeches, his memory unites me with other Americans and makes us proud of his leadership that changed our country for the better. He is also an example of how greatly God can use an imperfect person. His deeds while on earth effect my life today in many positive ways.

I was thinking of this recently when a Christian magazine editor (one week before his retirement) let Christians who voted for our current President have it, telling us that if we supported an imperfect president we are marring the truth of the gospel before unbelievers. What? First of all, I don’t believe it is a Christian’s place to tell another Christian how to vote. Secondly, did he ever challenge the moral integrity of politicians that are proponents of infanticide and late-term abortions? Who is the moral man, a well-mannered politician who endorses the death of children or an offensive man who champions the sanctity of human life? Mark Galli wrote: “To the many evangelicals who continue to support Mr. Trump in spite of his blackened moral record, we might say this: Remember who you are and whom you serve.”  

Honoring Martin Luther King Jr., made me wonder what this wise man would say to Mr. Galli. The power of Martin Luther King Jr., was expressed in the notion that the sanctity of human life was ground zero for all morality. In spite of the claims that Martin Luther King Jr., had moral mishaps, he remains a moral leader in my view. New York Times author, Michael Dyson, titled his article—"Moral Leaders Need Not Be Flawless” after revealing in his book that King fathered a child while married. If King’s moral lapse is true, it reminds me that one of Israel’s greatest kings was David who committed even worse moral flaws yet God’s says he was a man after His own heart. Despite these leaders’ flaws, God used them to lead nations in great ways. Their deeds are what we remember here on earth and also in heaven. Martin Luther King Jr., reveals the power of God to do great work through fallen, finite and fouled up people like me.

I wonder if Luther King, Jr. would reprimand Christians if they voted a certain way? I doubt it. I think he would believe that Christians have the wisdom and guidance to vote within themselves via the Holy Spirit.  

One thing we can all agree (Christian, non-Christian, all Americans) is that our current president is not flawless. I don’t think any Christian who voted for him could say that they do not recognize that he is flawed. If they vote for him anyway, perhaps it is because despite his many flaws he is the closest candidate to carry out the issues that are important to them. They vote for him because of his deeds.  

Revelation 14:13 says: “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them’.” So, in the end what really matters is that we die in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our deeds—my Christian vote, Mr. Galli’s editorial, and President Trump’s actions—will be revealed for what they are. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s deeds have followed him to heaven, and they still matter to me on this day here on earth.