In his Friday, May 5, "My Turn" letter Jimmy Pappas told us he is a Christian. What does that mean, Mr. Pappas? Are you a Christian because you believe in Jesus Christ, or are you a Christian because you are living with Jesus Christ and following His commands? Are you obeying Jesus Christ's first and last command of making disciples in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? Are you preaching the word of God, telling people that the only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ as He told us? Are you doing all you can to live as Jesus did, Mr. Pappas?

I'm just curious due to your very apparent affiliation with the Democratic Party, yes, the same party that fully supports and pushes for abortion, sodomite and lesbian marriage, government funded contraceptives, and the same party that had to vote three times on whether or not they would keep God in their platform. You are a Christian but you are a member of a party that had to vote three times on whether or not to keep God in your platform?

Do you think Jesus Christ would think like you do? Do you think Jesus Christ would say "well, I don't agree with abortion because that is murder according to my Father, nor with the sodomite or lesbian lifestyles because my Father says they are an abomination, nor with the promotion of contraceptives because that promotes sex outside of marriage which my Father condemns, but hey, I'll go along with the rest of it." I think not Mr. Pappas. Not only do I think He wouldn't be affiliated, but He would vehemently tell the Party and anyone affiliated with it that they are supporting and pushing for sin.

I'm pretty sure Jesus Christ would not dedicate so much time and energy to politics, Mr. Pappas; attending rallies, writing angry letters to the paper about the opposing party, etc. In fact, I don't think Jesus Christ would dedicate one moment of time to being a Democrat or Republican. Jesus could have very easily joined the ranks of Jews who wanted a revolution and He could have had great power, but He avoided that due to the fact that His role was to bring us closer to God, not to political power. This fact is exhibited when Jesus said "render under Caesar that which belongs to Caesar, and render to God, that which belongs to God." Not only was Jesus foiling the plans of the Pharisees to trap Him but He was also pointing out that people were paying far too much attention to politics and government and far too little attention to God.

I think Jesus Christ's message hasn't changed, Mr. Pappas. He would be telling us the same thing now as He did then, and I don't think His message would include anything about politics, government funded abortions and contraceptives, or sodomite and lesbian marriage.

Please don't feel as if this is an attack on you Mr. Pappas. You just wrote the letter that sparked the flame. There are many, many people like you that call themselves Christians but contradict that claim quite abrasively with their support of the Democratic Party. I just think it was time to be said and you happened to write the letter. I actually was very impressed with your letter beyond this one aspect.

And before the hate letters start, make no mistake I realize, no one is perfect. I am far from perfect; ask my family and people I work with. We all make mistakes. We all have our breaking points. We all sin no matter who we are and no matter how devout we are, however, there is a difference between sinning by nature on occasion and sinning by supporting and pushing for sin, Mr. Pappas, and by supporting the Democratic Party you are doing just that. If you are a Christian, try getting back into the Bible. Try turning off the news, putting down the paper, turning off the radio and getting back into the Word. I can tell you from experience, your life will greatly improve, Friend.

Who is in charge of the White House isn't going to get you closer with God. God doesn't care who is in the White House or who controls the House. God doesn't care about taxes, welfare, food stamps, or free phones. God cares about us and our relationship with Him, Mr. Pappas. Grace to you and peace from God the Father of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jeff J. Langford is a Coeur d'Alene resident.