A Christian's Thoughts on Independence Day

Happy 250th birthday to the United States. It's amazing to think that, on one hand, this nation has survived for so long, yet in the grand scheme of things, it is still so young.

While debate ensues over our current state, the direction we ought to go, and our nation's heritage, I thought I'd simply give some random thoughts on the United States of America, and how I believe we as Christians should think about some of these things. So, I wanted to share some thoughts on Independence Day.

1. Christian Nationalism

The scary term Christian Nationalism is thrown around a lot today. From the secular side of things, those who adhere to this are considered extreme, dangerous, alarming, and the like. They are seen as wanting to Christianize everything, trample on rights, and hate on everyone who isn't a Christian.

Yet on the other side is something more like a Christ-less nationalism, where the name of Jesus is tacked onto patriotism. If you're a Republican, then you're a Christian. If you're not a Republican, you're not a Christian. Faith and Nationalism become intertwined in an unhealthy way.

An even worse branch of this side of the debate seems to be an almost anti-Jewish, racist, sexist, xenophobic form of Sacralism (a mixing of church and state, to an unhealthy degree, in my opinion). I say "seemingly"; I realize I may come across as broad-brushing both extremes.

And if these extremes are the only views the "other sides" see, then how can they even come to the table?

But as one who adheres to neither camp, I have to ask the question (as I heard Voddie Baucham ask before): what's the alternative to Christian Nationalism? Secular Globalism?

In other words, worldviews will affect how people run nations. I, for one, want Christian values to be at the heart of the law of the land. And I think that is what should be at the heart of Christian Nationalism. But again, not everyone even agrees on what the term Christian Nationalism means.

Having a Christian influence doesn't mean the government has the right to dictate church worship; that again is Sacralism. Instead, it means that our laws reflect the character of God. Murder is wrong, because God has declared it so. Theft is wrong, because He has declared it so. So on, and so on. Godly laws promote human flourishing. Would we not want that to be the law of the land?

The problem that much of the Christian "right" is missing on this is that this isn't going to happen by force, or by Christian nominalism. It will only happen by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on this nation, and the changing of human hearts by the gospel.

The other side views Christian morality as a threat to their well-being, labeling much of what we believe as hate speech. But nothing could be further from the truth, as we will see in our second point.

I'll sum my thoughts up like this: I'm not sure I want a Christian government per se, not in an earthly sense at least (Jesus is King over all even now); I do want, however, Christians ruling in government. I want laws that reflect the heart of God towards morality, not a "national church" dictating every area of life from ethics to worship. I hope that makes sense. That was tried before, and it didn't work out well.

There is, of course, the danger of reaching too far, of entering that realm of Sacralism. And that's why the church should not be the government; rather, it should influence the government, for good. That's what makes sense in my head, anyway. Feel free to disagree; I'm not making this dogma, nor am I saying my views won't adjust through sanctification. I know I risk sounding a bit wishy-washy, but I want to be careful with my words on this topic.

Unfortunately, I feel that there's been too much of a push in a direction away from these ideas, an almost throw-our-hands-up and give up approach.

Granted, this world is not our home. But we are here, and so is everyone else. Should we not desire what is best for us all even now? And the thing that is best for us all is the gospel of Jesus Christ. And the gospel changes people, and as a byproduct, it changes nations, by God's grace.

Maybe I'm off my rocker, but I think we need a healthy balance between recognizing we are citizens of a better, heavenly kingdom, and seeing that we are pilgrims here in this world.

2. True Freedom

As Americans, we exult in our freedom. But what does it truly mean to be free? Unfortunately, I think the average person thinks that it means having the right to do whatever they want. But is that true freedom? Or is freedom something more?

Paul warned the Galatians that they were taking on again a yoke of slavery, after having experienced freedom in Christ:

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." - Galatians 5:1

You see, true freedom is being freed from the power of sin and death. And it is a freedom that transcends all human law and government. As Paul says of the fruit of the Spirit:

"...against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:23b

Regardless of where this nation is at, what state it is in, what its future holds, for those in Christ, we are truly free, no matter what.

If you have not submitted yourself to Christ, then it doesn't matter how free a nation you live in or how much you're able to exercise your "rights"; you are a slave to sin (John 8:34).

But, as John says:

"and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." - John 8:32

And again, Christians do long for a greater country, because that is where our citizenship is. And it is a place of true freedom in Christ. We long for it, and it awaits us no matter where this nation or this world turns.

3. Moving Forward From Our Nation's 250th

I realize this is a lot to take in, and probably not what you want to be thinking about on this day of festivities. But the reality is, we need revival.

And so we pray for that. Whether you're a Christian Nationalist or not is irrelevant; if you are a believer in Christ, then you and I have been commanded to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

We should desire the salvation of the lost, whether they are for us or against us, whether they are Republican or Democrat, Capitalist or Communist, for Christianity or against it. In fact, Jesus said to pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:43-47)

We should be praying for the enemies of Jesus; enemies like secularism, atheism, evolutionary thought, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and all these other false religions that lead people away from the one true God; may we pray that all of the enemies of Christ be crushed.

And may our own apathy, our unwillingness to name sin, our unwillingness to preach the word of God, our unwillingness to name the Name of Christ both in word and deed, ultimately may our own flesh be crushed.

May all of these be crushed, that is, under the weight of the gospel. The proclamation of that glorious gospel is enough to dismantle entire kingdoms, not by force, but by the changed hearts of those brought to their knees by God's gift of grace.

Maybe then, this nation will be the nation it ought to be; but, even more, may Jesus have the fullness of His reward and may God be glorified.

If we want another 250, then it is the only way.