By Denny Petrillo, Ph.D
For the people of God, a continual frustration is having leaders who seem to have no genuine relationship with God. Oh sure, they “talk the talk.” They say the right things. They get photo ops of them going to some denominational church. Maybe there will even be a shot or two of their praying with bowed heads. But far too frequently what is seen in the daily operations of government is clearly foreign to Biblical Christianity. Imagine, though, what it would be like if Jesus Himself were in the Oval Office in the White House. How would He treat the people under His charge? 
If Jesus were President, He would put the will of the Father first and foremost, knowing that God’s will is for the ultimate good of all mankind. Jesus frequently said in His earthly ministry that His primary focus was to do the will of God (John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38). Decisions of state would be made under the filter of God’s divine laws. Therefore He would not allow the whims and desires of men to override divine principles. Any new law proposed by Congress would be vetoed if it stood in violation of God’s Word. Jesus would operate on the principle that “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). 
If Jesus were President, He would have a foreign policy with the best interests of all of nations in mind. His love for all men would be the overriding emphasis on international affairs. There would be humane relief efforts for nations hit by natural disasters. Yet His interest in other nations would be primarily to save their souls. The Bible teaches that there is “none righteous” (Romans 3:9), and that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Therefore every nation would need to learn how to deal with sin. As Jesus demonstrated in His earthly ministry, He came “to seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10), and that He “came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). 
If Jesus were President, He would confront and oppose evil government officials. In His earthly ministry Jesus frequently confronted the Jewish leaders who were poor examples (Matthew 23:3) and who established laws that enslaved the people and made them miserable (Matthew 23:4; Luke 11:46; cf. 11:28-30). Centuries before King Solomon observed how men with power frequently abuse that power to the hurt of many others (Ecclesiastes 4:1; 5:8; 8:9). Jesus would have a complete grasp of the power afforded Him as President and would use that power for good and to prevent or minimize the impact of evil officials. On frequent occasion Jesus confronted the ungodly leadership of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:13-36). He held them accountable for their actions, and He would do the same as President. He would not tolerate anyone, including those in His own political party, to lie, cheat, or live immoral lives. 
If Jesus were President, He would treat people with compassion and kindness. During His earthly ministry, Jesus frequently was “moved with compassion.” When He saw people suffering, He reached out to them and healed them (cf. Matthew 4:23-24; 9:35-36). When they were hungry, He provided food for them (14:14-21; 15:32-38). Yet Jesus’ welfare program would be far different than the socialist program being promoted today. Jesus inspired the apostle Paul to say quite clearly, “If anyone will not work, neither let him eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). The idea of perpetual handouts to those lazy and unwilling to work would stop. 
If Jesus were President, He would protect human life. The Bible clearly identifies the value of each person. Mankind was the crowning act of God’s creation, and man is the only creature made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26). God established early that the taking of another’s life had severe consequences. As a matter of fact, God declared: “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed. For in the image of God He made man” (Genesis 9:6). Every soul is precious in the eyes of God, and Jesus would certainly enact policy that would protect each innocent person and punish each guilty person. Therefore there is no way that Jesus, as President, could support or allow any law that would allow one person to terminate the life of another who is innocent. This undoubtedly would be the case when it comes to abortion. Abortion is the termination of a human life. Certainly Jesus would not yield to the foolish arguments that a child in the womb is not yet a person; nor would He subscribe to the ridiculous notion that a “woman has a right over her own body” to the extent that she can terminate a precious life within her. In addition, there is no way that He would approve of clinics that perform abortions, nor allow government funds to pay for it! 
If Jesus were President, He would oppose homosexuality. In the Old Testament homosexuality was considered by God to be an “abomination” (Leviticus 18:22). In the New Testament Jesus inspired the apostle Paul to make four observations about homosexuality. He said it is “degrading,” “unnatural,” “indecent” and an “error” (Romans 1:26-27). Therefore, it is no surprise that Paul says that homosexuals shall not “inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9). With these clear verses, there is no way that Jesus as President would come out and announce support for gay marriage or the gay lifestyle. He would openly support God’s original plan for marriage: one man with one woman for life (Matthew 19:4-6). 
Conclusion 
It is clear that the person, character, ethics, and morals of Jesus would separate Him from the politicians we see today. How refreshing it would be to have a man leading this nation that was inflexible when it came to the laws of God, who could be trusted always, who had the best interests of all of mankind in continual view. 
Of course, only Jesus was perfect. No man, including no politician, is without sin (Romans 3:9, 23). Yet is there any reason for a man afforded the honor of leading the United States to not be a man of the highest character and morality? He should be a man who, as stated earlier, “is inflexible when it comes to the laws of God, who could be trusted always, and who has the best interests of all of mankind in continual view.” He should be a man not afraid to confront the evils of society (like Jesus did), to defend the innocent––including the unborn. We have the right to desire a man who is truly a Christian: one who wholeheartedly follows the Gospel of Christ.