Some of my Filipino "Christian" friends (who I know of are Duterte supporters) on FB who do not even 'LIKE' most of my posts (esp. Bible verses, Christian memes, and articles) for a long time in the past would suddenly burst into scene whenever I post anything against Philippine president Duterte, and they are quick to comment on my wall to defend him. Can't I post on MY own wall stuff that are really happening in the Philippines like for example the killings of poor innocent people (which God hates, by the way)?
What's happening to Christianity? How could a “Christian” defend a murderer when the Word of God clearly says, "YOU SHALL NOT MURDER." (Exodus 20:13)? It’s not that hard to understand, is it? They’d often point out Romans 13:1-2 which is to submit to (good) authorities, but what they can't see (or refuse to see) is the wickedness of this administration. How can a Christian submit, follow, (and worst) support an evil authority without breaking God’s law? It’s impossible unless they twist the Word of God.
“Christians are to obey human law except where that human law violates God's Law. Our supreme duty is to obey God. Since God tells us to also obey human laws, we should. But, when they come in conflict, we are to “obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). “ - Shall We Obey God’s Law or Human Law? CARM (Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry)
A lot of professing Christians would brag about witnessing to the unbelievers, but support Duterte’s extra-judicial killings of innocent Filipinos who probably had died without even knowing Jesus Christ. It doesn’t make sense. And even if some of the victims are really drug addicts or pushers, where is mercy? Jesus says in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5:7). God has been so merciful to us, and we ought to show mercy to others also. They would also often post Bible verses on their FB walls about how they love Jesus Christ and that they would follow Him wherever He leads them, and how His Word comforts and strengthens them in times of their troubles, but they don’t realize that by supporting Duterte (a self-confessed murderer, adulterer, and a liar) they are actually throwing Jesus Christ under the bus and His Word in the garbage bin. Even some unbelievers can see this and would sometimes criticize them (and consequently Christianity as a whole) for being hypocrites. Sadly, Jesus Christ is not being glorified.
I didn’t intend this to be this long as this was supposed to be just a shout out on my FB wall, but it turned out to be a short blog. I guess I’ve got a lot of things to say. Christians are called to be the light of this world. We should always be the first to condemn wickedness, not be partakers of it. We should always speak against evil, not defend it. Christian Duterte supporters are making a huge mistake. They are sinning by supporting a murderer. They should repent. Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. ~ Romans 12:9
