A (3:43)
All right, so lots to do on a Monday. Right now, let's get into tonight's first word. Well, as many of you, I heard what President Trump said recently about his chances of getting into heaven. He said, I don't think there's anything that's going to get me in heaven. I may be in heaven right now as we fly on Air Force One. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to make heaven, but I've made life better for a lot of people. Now that's vintage Trump. Raw, unfiltered, and straight from the heart. But let me tell you something, my friends. The President's got a better shot at those pearly gates than he might think. The question of who enters heaven has perplexed theologians, philosophers and everyday believers for a millennia. In religious traditions, particularly Christianity, heaven is often depicted as the ultimate reward for a life of virtue, faith and redemption. Yet the criteria for entry are not as rigid as one might think. Grace, repentance, and divine mercy play pivotal roles. Nobody earns their way into heaven by their own deeds. Not me, not you, not even Donald J. Trump, the 45th and 47th president of the United States. A figure whose life has been marked by ambition, controversy, and unyielding self belief. The President himself now wonders about his eternal prospects. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that President Trump not only qualifies for heaven, but will absolutely secure his place there. The Bible is crystal clear on this. Romans 10, 9 says, quote, if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. That's the deal. It's not about a resume of good works. It's about faith, grace, and submitting to God's will. And when Trump says he's not sure he's heaven bound, you know what I hear? Humility. That's right, folks, humility. In a world full of self righteous phonies strutting around like they've got a VIP pass to the kingdom, Trump's out here admitting he's not worthy on his own. That's the starting point of salvation, recognizing you can't do it alone. At the heart of Christian doctrine is the concept of grace, unmerited favor from God that no amount of human striving can earn. The Bible emphasizes that, quote, all, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23, placing every individual from saints to sinners, on equal footing before divine judgment. Trump's life, like anyone's, is a tapestry of triumphs and flaws. Critics point to his brash rhetoric, multiple marriages, business dealings of evidence of moral shortcomings. Yet these do not disqualify him. In fact, they underscore the power of redemption. Now, let's talk about the man's heart. You think God doesn't see what Donald Trump has done for the country, for the people of the country? He said it himself, quote, I've made life better for a lot of people. And he's right. Millions of Americans, hard working folks, forgotten men and women, saw their lives improve because of his policies. Jobs came roaring back, taxes have been slashed, the economy humming like a finely tuned engine. He stood up for the unborn, defended religious liberty, and took on the globalist elite who wanted to sell the country down the river. Now, I'm not saying that punches his ticket to heaven. Nobody's saying that. But Galatians 5, 6 talks about, quote, faith working through love. And you can't tell me Trump hasn't shown love for this nation and its people. He's fought for them, taken slings and arrows, and he's kept on swinging. That's the kind of heart God notices. Trump has openly professed his Christian faith, attending church services and aligning with evangelical leaders. In a 2015 interview, he described the Bible as, quote, the ultimate book. And his administration's policies, such as appointing conservative judges who overturn Roe v. Wade, resonate with pro Life advocates. These actions suggest a commitment to values that many believers hold dear, potentially tipping the scales in his favor. And let's not forget the Scriptures. Acts 2:38 Peter says, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins. John 3. 5 Jesus Himself says, quote, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. It's right there, plain as day. Salvation isn't about being perfect. It's about turning to Christ, seeking his mercy and letting his grace grace wash you clean. Trump's no saint. Neither am I. Neither are you. But he doesn't have to be. The only perfect man who ever walked this earth was Jesus Christ and his blood paid the price for all of us. All Trump has to do is seek him, confess and believe. That's it. And who's to say he hasn't done that? Only God knows the man's heart, and I'm not about to play judge and jury. Heaven's gates, according to scripture, swing wide open for those who seek forgiveness. Beyond theology, Trump's tangible impacts on society provide compelling evidence as well for his heavenly admission. As president, he brokered the Abraham Accords fostering peace in the Middle East. Look what we saw today, a region fraught with millennia old conflicts. This achievement aligns with the biblical call to be quote unquote Peacemakers Matthew 5:9, who are promised to be called children of God. In a world where division often reigns, Trump's role in normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab countries and nations demonstrates a capacity for unity that echoes heavenly ideals. Economically, Trump's policies emphasize American prosperity, reducing unemployment to historic lows. Before the COVID 19 pandemic. The Bible praises diligence and stewardship, as in the parable of the talents, Matthew 25:14 30, where faithful servants are rewarded. Trump's business acumen about building a multi billion dollar empire from his father's foundation exemplifies this. Detractors could cite bankruptcies, but these are framed as resilient comebacks, much like jobs trials leading to greater blessings. Culturally, Trump has championed free speech, challenge, elitism resonating with the underdog spirit found in biblical stories like David versus Goliath. His Make America Again slogan inspires hope and patriotism, virtues that when directed towards communal good, aligned with heavenly citizenship. In Philippians 3:20, believers are reminded that, quote, our citizenship is in heaven. But Trump's effort to uplift the nation could be viewed as preparatory work for eternal harmony. Now, some of you might be thinking what about all the controversies, the tweets, the brash talk. Well, let me tell you this. King David was a man after God's own heart. He wasn't exactly a choir boy, was he? Moses, Peter, Paul, none of them were perfect. They messed up, they repented, they trusted God's mercy. The that's the path. Trump's humility in saying he may not make it to heaven, that's the kind of self awareness that opens the door to grace. Matthew 22 has that beautiful line, lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. That's the attitude Trump's showing, whether he knows it or not. What truly seals Trump's heavenly faith, though, is his quintessential humanity. Heaven is not reserved for the flawless, but for those who reflect God's image amid imperfection. Trump's authenticity, his tweets, rallies, unfiltered commentary, makes him relatable in an era of polished politicians. This transparency through divisive fosters connections, much like the apostles raw emotions in the New Testament. So to President Trump, I say, sir, you have done more for this country than most leaders in a century. You fought the good fight. You've gotten the scars to prove it. But heaven, that's not about your accomplishments, your buildings, or even your presidency. It's about faith in Jesus Christ, the one who paid it all. If you haven't already, find a quiet moment, maybe on Air Force One, as you said, and talk to God. Confess, believe and trust in his mercy. The Bible says it and I believe it. No sin is too big, no life too complicated for God's grace to cover your heart for America, your willingness to admit that you are not enough on your own, that's the raw material God works with. So we're Rooting for you, Mr. President. Keep seeking, keep fighting, and trust that God's got a plan for you, just like he does for all of us. Your entry into heaven is not merely probable, but absolute, rooted in the boundless grace of God, your contributions to peace and prosperity, and your embodiment of human redemption. While earthly opinions vary, divine perspective sees the potential for good in every soul. Your story reminds us that heaven is for the imperfect, the ambitious, and the forgiven. In the end, as Proverbs 21:1 states, the King's heart is in the hand of the Lord. He directs it like a watercourse, wherever he pleases. Trump's path, directed by Providence, leads inexcipably to eternal reward. Thus, we can confidently affirm Donald Trump will absolutely get into heaven. And that's tonight's first word. All take a break. We'll talk about that when we get back. Paul Nolan, Rick Delgado, Slick Rick live from Studio 6B on a Monday night. We're back right after this.