There is a strange sentiment among American Christians that makes us think that we are somehow God’s favored ones in the world. This vision imagines the American Constitution as a perfect document almost equal to the Gospels. Our nation’s capitol is a physical embodiment of this idea, like a great temple in honor of the law and topped with a shrine to American freedom.
In His providence, the Lord has willed that we live in this great nation during this specific time. Our government requires our respect (Romans 13:1-7), and even a sense of certain reverence to trust in the power we give it. Although, we shouldn’t create an idol of politics.
The mission of Jesus and the Gospel is not a political agenda.
God Does Not Play Favorites with America
We should all consider ourselves very blessed to live in such a great nation that has afforded us such incredible freedoms. God has certainly blessed us, but that doesn’t mean He loves us more than any other nation in the world. The Lord loves all His children from every nation in the world equal to the souls of Americans, even those that inflict evil actions on others.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast.
– Ephesians 2:8-9
If we keep this understanding, then we can see that people on the other side of an issue are not our enemies. We are all in this together, and what everyone’s actions affect us all. We all have one common enemy, even if some don’t see or recognize it. The beauty is that we all have the same ally in the Lord that has already won upon calvary, even if not everyone sees it yet.
We Are Accountable for the Loss of Christian Culture
It’s easy to try and blame the fallen world around us for the messiness of our culture. It’s always easier to complain than to take action, but that’s not the role of a Christian.
People who don’t know Jesus can’t be held accountable for not being Christian. If they don’t know Jesus, it’s our fault because we know Him and have held back His love and Gospel. Our homesick hearts will endlessly pursue satisfaction that can’t be found in the things of this world, but that won’t stop people from trying. We know the only one that can fulfill our deepest desires, and we have an obligation to share the Joy of the Gospel.
“Put no trust in princes, in children of Adam powerless to save.Who breathing his last, returns to the earth; that day all his planning comes to nothing.”
-Psalm 146:3-4
Voting is Not Evangelizing
We will be good citizens (1 Peter 2:13-17) and also stand for justice. We will participate in the electoral process and exercise our civic duties. Nonetheless, casting your ballot doesn’t count as evangelization because no political party perfectly aligns with our beliefs. Even if there were a perfect candidate or if the law fit in line with our beliefs, this fallen world would need to know the person of Jesus for any of it to mean anything to people.
For “no human being will be justified in his sight” by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
– Romans 3:20
Good and just laws are broken every day, and often by Christians. We have to constantly work on ourselves by turning to Jesus. If our lives don’t testify to the Truth, we lose any credibility in our efforts to evangelize.
Our work to proclaim the Gospel will not have an end in this life. We need a generation of Christians that really takes this more seriously than politics. Many times there is an overlap, but politics won’t save souls – only the blood of Jesus.
Persecution as a Christian is a Guarantee
In Revelations 7:9, we see there are innumerable amounts of martyrs in heaven said to be from every nation on earth. This will certainly include even our own great nation. We shouldn’t be surprised when the world hates us (John 15:18). It began with subtle attacks on our religious liberties, and only the Lord knows where it will end.
We have a communion of great witnesses that went before us with heroic virtue, and we can stand confident that the Lord will not abandon us. We will work for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and against injustice until the end.
The Martyrdom of Padre Pro in Mexico
“Jesus answered them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.
Persecutions Foretold
“Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.”
Matthew 24:4-14
Even this Great Nation Will Have an End
Simply because we mark various government works (like our money) with invocations of the Lord does not automatically make us the favored ones. Every empire in the history of the world has gone away, and every nation will eventually fall. Let’s work to do as we can to hold this back as much as possible, but our trust is in the Lord, not in Washington.
In the end, this is not our home, and we have to not despair when we have troubles in this world.
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
– Philippians 3:20
United State Capitol Building
Pray for Our Leaders
May the Lord guide our leaders, and may God bless America.
“First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity.”
-1 Timothy 1:1-2
