God's Country

Today is the Fourth of July.  Often, 'the 4th' is a wholesome occasion, marked by festive thankfulness for the freedom we enjoy to serve and worship as we choose.  But increasingly, 'the 4th' is becoming 'wrapped up' in American exceptionalism and a 'worship' of country that borders on idolatry, going  far beyond a patriotism of gratitude. 

Evidence of that 'pull', appeared last Saturday night, as the First Baptist Church of Dallas (FBCD), co-sponsored a Celebrate Freedom Concert at the Kennedy Center, in Washington, D.C.   As the web-site of (FBCD) noted:

"...President Donald Trump will join Pastor Robert Jeffress [Senior Pastor of FBCD] to honor our veterans...The event...will be a night of hope, celebration and commemoration. President Trump will deliver a powerful address...Stirring patriotic music will come from the renowned choir and orchestra of First Baptist Dallas...Dr. Robert Jeffress, pastor of the 13,000-member First Baptist Church in Dallas...will also bring a message of hope and encouragement..."http://www.firstdallas.org/events/celebrate-freedom-concert/

Hard to argue with an event, centered around veterans.

But according to the Dallas Morning News, the Celebrate Freedom Concert was centered around another foci:

"...Although the event was nonpartisan in name, Trump, Jeffress, and [other politicians participating] all shared a partisan message, focusing their remarks on the intersection of politics and religion.  Jeffress introduced the president as a personal friend who "has exceeded our expectations, in reviving the economy, rebuilding our military, respecting our veterans, and restoring the greatest freedom of all — the free exercise of our faith." "Millions of Americans believe that [Trump's victory] represented God giving us our next chance, perhaps our last chance, to make America great again," Jeffress said...(emphasis added)". https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2017/07/01/president-trump-first-baptist-dallas-spread-faith-patriotism-politics-concert

"God giving us...perhaps our last chance, to make America great again?"  I'm confused.  Is that a prime concern and mission of God?  Where is that in the Bible?  

It's not. 

For Jesus identifies with no nation state, including our nation state (America).  Now it's true, Jesus recalls Israel's unique role in Salvation History, referencing it respectfully.  But, under the New Covenant, Israel is no longer preeminent; only Christ's nation state is preeminent:  the Kingdom of God.  And that Kingdom, Jesus clarifies to Pilate, in John 18:

"...is not of this world.  If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders.  But now my Kingdom is from another place..."  (John 18:36).

Is it any wonder, Paul goes on to remind us in Philippians 3:20, that "...our citizenship is in heaven..."  (Philippians 3:20).  For as Peter details, we are 

"...a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God...Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires..."  (1 Peter 2:9-11, emphasis added). 

Now, as citizens of heaven, 'resident aliens,'  that is not to say, that we are not to respect America, even love America.   We are just to love God, more.  Bottom line:  we render to Caesar what is Caesars and to God what is God's  (Matthew 22:15-22).  

As inferred, we render to God, ultimate, supreme loyalty, as our final King.  And to Caesar?  In essence:  we honor governmental boundaries (e.g. laws) -- as long as those boundaries -- do not contradict God's boundaries.  For as Peter announces in Acts 5:29 -- "...We must obey God rather than human beings..." (Acts 5:29).  

And so, in sum, netting-out our conduct in the midst of the tension between God and State:  "Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, respect the emperor."  (1 Peter 2:17).     

But, especially, fear God.  It's interesting, immediately proceeding 1 Peter 2:16, Peter calls us, to "...live as God's slaves..."  (1 Peter 2:15) -- and in turn -- call others to be God's slaves -- summoning them to their true homeland and country -- which is no worldly nation-state -- but the nation-state of the Almighty:  the land of God.  For as C.S. Lewis reminds us, as wonderful as our country is (and it is a wonderful land!) -- we are made for another world -- God's Country!  

"...I must take care...to [never] despise, or be unthankful for...earthly blessings...[but also] never mistake them for the something else of which they are only a kind of copy, or echo, or mirage.  I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that country and help others do the same..." (emphasis added) (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.  New York:  Harper Collins, pp. 135-137)

And so on this Fourth of July -- realize -- that as benevolent and majestic and beautiful and generous as our great land is (and it is!) -- it is not exceptional in the Almighty's eyes; it is not God's Country.  No country is.  

Why, God's country -- is beyond us -- birthed and crafted by God's own power and reign -- identified as His Kingdom, and His Kingdom alone -- available today -- and continuing tomorrow -- forever -- into His marvelous future -- world, without end!