Barack Obama: Actions More like Rev. Wright or More Like Christ?

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight oh Lord my God and my Redeemer.  I attend church on a regular basis, but notice that I didn't ask for the acceptance of my preacher or any preacher anywhere.  The preacher may be the spiritual leader of my church congregation, but Christ is the Head of the Christian Church.  Living the life of a Christian is an individual choice.  I think the words of a popular Christian song says it best, "though no one go with me, I still will follow".

As I was watching Anderson Cooper on CNN tonight, I was struck by a comment that guest Tony Perkins made when he said that "[he didn't see how Barack Obama could attend church sermons preached by Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright and not be adversely influenced by them]".  Well Tony, the answer is "easily."  God gives each of us a discerning spirit and a Bible to research and verify that what the preacher says is actually the Word of God.  Everything the preacher says is not taken at face value.  And Tony as a professed Christian, I'm sure that you are familiar with the Biblical command to "study to show yourself approved."

If you want to know if Obama is influenced more by Rev. Wright or Jesus Christ, you ask him.  Then you take him at his word.  The real question or measure of a person's sincerity is who does the person emulate. In the case of Obama, does his actions more closely reflect the sound bite YouTube sermon of Rev. Wright whom church he has attended for twenty years or do they more closely emulate the teachings of Christ. 

Christ is a unifier.  He accepts people equally regardless of their earthly status.  Isn't that what Obama has sought to do when he called upon Democrats, Republicans, Black people, White people, Latino people, young people and old people, men and women, to work together for the betterment of America.  No other candidate has captured the imagination of the country and inspired the nation more by their message of hope and call for change than Barack Obama.

But why do some people work so hard to keep the status quo.  An old wise person once said that some people just like to wallow in mess.  Why?  Well one obvious reason is that positive change can dry up their gravy train.  What would Rush Limbaugh do if his audience suddenly stopped listening to his nonsense?  Even when in our hearts we know that this country could use a makeover, we still resist.  Another reason for our hesitation could be that we know that the journey will be so difficult and the path of least resistance looks more inviting. 

However, the question remains.  As we have observed Barack Obama over these many months, has he exhibited behavior more like Rev. Wright (as seen in the YouTube video) or behavior more closely resembling the teachings of Christ?  I think the answer is clear.  Barack Obama has revealed himself as someone that Americans could be proud to call their President and I hope he gets a little Heavenly intervention.