The Kingdom of God does not look like any other kingdom or nation. It does not have physical borders and can be found on no map. Ephesians 2:11-22 demonstrates that national and racial prejudice are barriers to God's intentions for us. Jesus steps in and unites us by his Spirit, erasing these false boundaries. In Christ we become part of a new country/kingdom that is made up of those who have given themselves to be disciples of Jesus.
Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, `Here it is,' or `There it is,' because the kingdom of God is in your midst." (Luke 17:20-21)
The Kingdom of God was never meant to identified with a human-inspired, physical nation state. When we do, we open ourselves up to error, arrogance, and idolatry.
Error is inevitable when God's Kingdom is confused with human governance and a specific culture. We begin to think that American ethics equals God's ethics, that the way things are done in America naturally reflects God's desires because we are a Christian nation. In some cases our founding fathers are given the status as prophets.
While the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America were influenced by Scriptural ideas, they were not divinely inspired, nor were their authors prophets. We should reflect on the nature of faith of these writers. Thomas Jefferson rewrote the Bible to reflect his beliefs. The Jeffersonian Bible or "The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth" was Jefferson's attempt to purge the Bible of any supernatural references concerning Jesus. He believed Jesus was a good teacher, but denied his spiritual nature. Jesus' morals were to be followed, but he was not to be acknowledged as God, Lord, or Savior. That legacy is still strong in American culture.
The idea of America as a Christian nation leads to arrogance. Are we open to the teaching, rebukes, and corrections from Christians of other nations, or do we believe we are the one light of the world? It is our nature to be somewhat blind to the faults of our culture. Outsiders sometimes see what we do not see. Are we willing to hear prophetic words from beyond our national boarder even though they originate from within God's Kingdom?
Perhaps the biggest danger is idolatry. "My country right or wrong" is always an affront to God. We are called to help our neighbor and our nation prosper, but we are also to call it to justice and righteousness. We are to serve our nation, but we must always make sure that we don't mingle patriotism and faith. We cannot serve two masters.
Perhaps the most vivid example are the pictures of Jesus draped in a flag. A mantle is a symbol of authority. We speak symbolically of placing the mantle of Christ's authority on our shoulders, but it is idolatrous to think that Jesus would place the mantle of America's authority upon his shoulders. This, along with red, white and blue Christmas trees, thoughts of America as the New Jerusalem, and our political leaders as (past or present) prophets all mix up our national history with God's story in such a way as to invite idolatry.
We are first citizens of the Kingdom of God. Christ has allegiance before any flag. I will love and serve the people of this nation because God commands me to. I will participate in this nation because it's my obligation as a citizen. But the Kingdom of God comes first, and whenever cultural wisdom, common sense (worldly wisdom), or the actions of this nation violate the righteousness and justice of God, I will side with God's Kingdom. Not through violence or revolution, but through the love, service, and truth that Jesus has called me to express.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)
In the next blog, I will continue this theme with one more danger: the Loss of the Next Generation for Christ.
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