This is seen clearly in the Introduction to a very important document where it states...
"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."
What follows in that document is a statement of the reasons for severing ties with the British Empire and the birth of the American nation. We call it the Declaration of Independence.
However, I do not believe it possible for any nation on earth to collectively have redemptive faith in Christ and His work on the Cross, which is the basis for God's salvation, and which is the ONLY biblical basis for a personal and an eternal relationship with Him.
So, in simple terms, biblically, I do not believe any earthly nation can be identified as a "Christian nation," including America.
ALL NATIONS, ours included, can only expect to rise and fall as a human empire and ultimately make way for the Kingdom of God.
That Kingdom is presently within all believers out of every nation on earth who know Him personally and all those who will believe on Him in the future, and is a Kingdom which is yet to be established at His return as well. This is the "gospel of the Kingdom" which we preach and it is not an American gospel at all.
That "gospel" of hope for all people has two aspects to it, though it is only one gospel. Christ and His Cross, which deals with our sin and fallen nature, is one aspect of that redemptive gospel message. This is being delivered [saved] "from" something.
The Kingdom mentioned above is the other aspect of the redemptive gospel message. He reigns in our lives presently as King, and will one day, at His return, bring about the full deliverance of this world to be His Kingdom and will reign over it as its King. This is being delivered [saved] "to" something.
So biblical Christianity isn't just heaven in the bye and bye when we die. And it certainly isn't being an American. It is becoming a part of His Kingdom NOW, and, one day at His return, being in His Coming Kingdom, which is a new heaven AND A NEW EARTH, where He will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords forever.
[The old heaven and earth will have passed away.]
Until that time, I am a citizen of two countries, but my first allegiance is to the present AND coming Kingdom and its King, knowing the nation of my earthly birthplace [America] will one day be finished and superceded.
But in the mean time, as a Christian who is an American, I will work though lawful, Constitutional means to preserve this nation's freedom and justice for ALL Americans, regardless of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation, knowing this perhaps means confronting wrongs as a citizen that need to be righted through new laws and new elections sometimes.
But as already stated, announcing the gospel of the true Kingdom is my first priority, knowing ALL citizens of EVERY nation will not experience salvation apart from faith in the One of Whom the gospel of the Kingdom speaks.
I also know my nation of heritage is to be shaped by principles found in the Constitution based on the reality of God which gave birth to this nation. But it can never be reflective of Kingdom principles that are found in Christ alone.
So, knowing full well that every nation, America included, will one day give way to His Kingdom, I will not allow the two to be mixed in my thinking either as a Christian or as an American citizen.
This is my worldview. This is why I can and do celebrate with joy July 4th. This is why I don't worship anything American. My worship is reserved for the King of another Kingdom. So I will say with pride and delight tomorrow....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA. July 4th, 2013.
4 comments:
Thanks Brother Paul. I sincerely believe most of the framers of the Constitution and signers of the Declaration of Independence were in step with your convictions. I see nothing restrictive in your love for country if your love for your heavenly home is in the right priority. In fact, I believe it is enhanced and fruit bearing. I know most of the founding fathers were dedicated to this discernment. Somehow, this has fallen by the wayside today. Have a great July 4th.
Steve
Paul,
How I happy it would cause me to be if I could find a few Aussies with a similar mindset.
Before I'm hung,drawn, and quartered, I have no doubt there are some; it's just that I haven't come across any in recent years.
It's certainly refreshing reading,"So biblical Christianity isn't just heaven in the bye and bye when we die. And it certainly isn't being an American. It is becoming a part of His Kingdom NOW, and, one day at His return, being in His Coming Kingdom, which is a new heaven AND A NEW EARTH, where He will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords forever."
Maybe the Australian problem arises from the fact that your forebears were pilgrims, with ours being convicts.
Am I mistaken in finding your wonderful statement,"This is why I don't worship anything American. My worship is reserved for the King of another Kingdom....", as exhibiting a rather rare,but very desirable frame of mind?
Aussie J,
I'm not sure how rare it really is, but what I've come to see is that, at least in America, things American are as likely as not to be worshiped with this definition of the verb. "To adore - idolize - deify - venerate - revere."
Many would deny it, but I think a close examination might reveal more of this than some are willing to admit present among American Christians for things American.
Steve,
Thanks Steve. It was one of your comments in the past few months that was part of the prompt to write this. I appreciate you more than you know.
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