In a recent interview on Fox and Friends, President Trump gave several reasons for his work to end the war in Ukraine, including this extremely personal one. “I want to try and get to heaven, if possible. I’m hearing I’m not doing well. I am really at the bottom of the totem pole. But if I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons.”
Some characterized the comment as “joking,” but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “I think the President was serious.”
His theology here is far from perfect, and a lot of evangelicals have been highly critical. But his understanding fits that of most people around the world, and it’s important that we see, in light of scripture, what he got right and what he got wrong. First, he implicitly acknowledged two key fundamental facts about God — He exists, and He rewards. Hebrews 11:6 says, “He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
A decade ago, Mr. Trump said, “I’m not sure I have ever asked God’s forgiveness.” When asked about that in a later interview, he replied, “Why do I have to repent or ask for forgiveness, if I am not making mistakes? I work hard; I’m an honorable person.”
But over time, he has apparently changed his mind on this crucial point. He now seems to understand that he is in a deficit position with God — “not doing well” and “at the bottom of the totem pole.” Jesus spent much of His teaching convincing people of their need for Him — that they are sinners and that they need a Savior. In the Sermon on the Mount, He gave several examples of this, most famously saying that we can be spiritually guilty of sins like murder and adultery because of our thoughts. That hits everyone.
This confirms the concept in Isaiah 53:6. “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way.” We see this concept throughout scripture, never more clearly than in Romans 3:23. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
“The glory of God” is the highest of standards. Only one human ever achieved that level of holiness — the Man who is also God, Jesus Christ. He alone could fulfill His admonishment in Matthew 5:48 (KJV). “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
Bringing peace to Ukraine and Russia is a goal worthy of praise. And to succeed in a way that is fair to all would be a gigantic act of righteousness. But it’s not enough. Being as perfect as our Father in heaven requires an entire life of righteousness. James 2:10 explains, “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” Think of God’s law as a unified whole. Break any part of it, and you have broken the law. Break any part of it, and you are a lawbreaker.
That’s us. That’s all of us. Getting to heaven requires more than we can achieve. Only Jesus lived a life of perfect righteousness. On the cross, He received the rightful judgment for our sins. He paid the price. He took our sins upon Himself, but He didn’t stop there. He also gave to all who will receive it, the gift of His perfect righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
We cannot earn a place in heaven, but we can receive heaven as a gift from the One who earned it for us. Those who trust in their own goodness can never be sure of their position with God. But when we trust in Jesus, we can be completely sure because He is completely trustworthy. Ephesians 2:8 makes it beautifully clear. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”
