This quote doesn’t make much sense. I’ve been trying to make heads or tails of it. Are we to assume that bi-polar “faithful, patriotic, Christian Americans” understand the dangers of Christian Nationalism?
If patriotism is defined as “pride” in one’s country, would God condone such pride?
Is Christian Nationalism a value we find congruent with the Gospel of the Kingdom that Jesus preached? Or, did Jesus preach an altogether different message? One wherein you couldn’t serve 2 masters. Either you’re a citizen of the Kingdom of God or a citizen of any competing nation state of men? You can’t serve both. The Kingdom of God’s jurisdiction knows no bounds. It is above all and over all. It does not recognize man-made borders and laws. One can be a Christian or one can be an American, but can they have allegiance to both rival governments?
This line of reasoning becomes even more dizzying when you introduce the concept of “American Christian Zionism.”
Jesus wasn’t vested in the real estate of Israel, nor was He interested in reclaiming the glory of the nation-state of Israel. He brought an altogether other option. The Kingdom of God is at hand – it is within you. Meaning that the Kingdom of God was where ever the citizens of that government found themselves. This is the government Jesus died to bring to earth, and of it’s increase it shall know no end.
(Aside: Jesus focused on the people of the government and not so much the government itself.)
If Christians were as “patriotic” about the Kingdom of God as they are for the governments of evil men that are passing away, I don’t believe we would find ourselves in the current political climate. I believe the “church” has become so enamored and consumed with rival governments that we have neglected the advancing of the Kingdom of God. We’ve looked for a savior in the White House. We’ve re-translated 2 Chronicles 7:14 to state “If my people . . . . will vote. . . ” We’ve believed our sole responsibility is in this one singular action – “VOTING,” while neglecting the true commands of our King – namely loving our neighbor as ourselves and setting the captives of every rival government free.
This would make the children of God the best citizens to any state who has aligned itself with the morals and laws of the Kingdom of God; and simultaneously the enemy of the state to every state that has declared war against God and His government.
The change we are wanting to see in our nation will come when the citizens of the Kingdom of God take seriously the mandate of their King and advance the Kingdom (within) their families and neighborhoods. This would create a groundswell that would influence the culture and ultimately the seats of power within any nation. We’ve been deceived into believing this change happens top-down from the White House, and have wasted a lot of time, energy, focus and prayers on getting the “right people” in office.
We shouldn’t be anything other than Christian.
0 Comments