Is the Fourth of July in the Bible?

Hi Friends! 

I remember my confusion when it started to crystallize for me that lots of Americans believed that Christians had to worship their country in order to be good Christians. The messages would not explicitly say, “Worship America”. But, the innuendo and sentiment were that America is the best country on earth, the founding fathers were all godly, righteous men who constructed a perfect country, and capitalism was God’s ideal economic system.  I was confused that none of my Sunday School teachers nor my parents had ever told me that God had chosen a political party. I had not grown up in a church that mixed the Gospel with politics. I thought I had missed something very critical to my faith foundation. In the church I grew up in, we had those Martin Luther King, Jr. fans and leaders and members of the NAACP in our congregation. They would make an announcement to remind the adults of the responsibility to vote at election time. But, none of this was intertwined within the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They were distinct and separate from the Gospel – at least enough for me to know the difference. Such announcements were more like a commercial break and not actually the regularly scheduled programming. However, after I connected with other Christian groups and churches in college and beyond, this relationship between Bible truth, Christian duty, and specific political stances became more and more visible. Maybe I had missed something big or was just doing my Christianity wrong? None of my Bible studies nor meditations had led me to a specific, universal, “Christian” political agenda. However, in some Christian environments, this almost seemed to be a given. Part of the discipleship process was: “You must believe XXX and vote for YYY (or not) if you are going to be a real Christian.”

Silliness: Politics and Division in the Body of Christ

Unfortunately, brainwashing does occur in Gospel settings. To be clear, there is a washing of the mind that occurs as we understand the Gospel. Out with the selfish, self-serving, fearful, prideful ways of life, in with the loving, redemptive, nature. This is not brainwashing, this is transformation of the heart and mind that is promoted by the scriptures. There is a difference between this, and the brainwashing that occurs in “Christian culture”. The latter is driven by the agenda of man. At some point, I realized what was going on and decided to opt out of it. But it seems to still be going on. As always, it’s easier to see this in someone else than in ourselves. Many conservative evangelicals are quick to recognize this brainwashing when it comes in the form of “Prosperity Gospel” but not so quick to recognize the brainwashing of Christian nationalism and patriotism.. We have codified them into Christian culture and rhetoric as salvation-blocking. Maybe you’re thinking “Really?” Here are some examples:

• If you say, Black Lives Matter, you can’t be a true Christian.
• If you vote for a Democrat, you can’t truly be a Christian.
• If you do not believe that America is God’s special country, then you are not truly a Christian.
• If you are not stumping for a specific cause or leader, then you are not a true Christian.

Uhmmm, what? Again, which page or version of the Bible can this be found?

This goes the other way too:

• If you are capitalist, then you are not a true Christian.
• If you are not wearing a mask, you are not being Christian.
• If you vote for “the other” party, you can’t be a Christian
• If you are not actively involved in “our” social justice causes, then you are not a Christian.

If we are to use the mind and heart that God gave us, along with His word, how can we not conclude that these have nothing to do with salvation? Such issues are not worth dividing over. How can God be pleased when are taking away other folks’ salvation over issues with no eternal implications? Why are some of us exalting our patriotism, our country, or our fight for politics above Bible truths? We can expect that from those who do not know the transformative grace of Jesus Christ. However, it should not be so among us. I know it can be really hard, but we must be careful not to insert our political stance, patriotism (or lack thereof), under the umbrella of “Biblical Truth”. The Gospel is not complicated. It transforms in its simplicity. As we are transformed, our thinking transforms. This happens over time and with experience as we wrestle with the scriptures in prayer and humility. Where in God’s Word are we instructed to divide over political and social convictions? The answer is: nowhere.

Mere Activism or Idolatry?

Too many American Christians forget that there are Christians all over the world, who are born in and live in countries that don’t deserve to be worshiped. Why do we think that we are different? Yes, our country is beautiful for those, for whom it is beautiful. There are also people having a vastly different experience because of  injustices perpetuated in our established systems. This cannot be ignored. We can not  allow the “American” mentality to seep into our faith, and make us think that our country or our politics are the center of the universe, time, and God’s entire plan. And here’s the scary thing… If we’re letting our country/politics become the center of our universe, then we are allowing it to become our idol.

Not sure you believe me. Here’s a test: if you have set aside the character or the commands of Christ for your beliefs, then they have become an idol to you. If your beliefs, convictions, or political passions compel you to hateful actions, attitudes, motivations, and manipulations, then they have become your god. They inform your decisions, rule and control you – not the Spirit of God. I do not say this with condemnation or judgment, because we all do this sometimes. This Christian walk is all about conforming to the image of God. We are constantly judging ourselves, not by our own standards, but by His. I have to contend with my own idols and anything that fights to take first place in my life above the nature of God. We are in this together. This is why I want to remind you of some truths that are easily forgotten when we are “triggered”.

What Kind of Savior is He?

Jesus and the Apostle Paul were clear about our relationship to our earthly government.* We respect it, we pray for it, we witness The Truth to it, However, the Church of Jesus Christ does not exist to command our earthly government through a political process, force, propaganda, or manipulation for Christ’s sake. We do not worship our country nor do work to subvert it. That doesn’t mean that as individuals we can’t or don’t participate in it. It does mean that we understand that we are just pilgrims and sojourners in this land. That truth must shape our posture and position toward our fellow Americans. Understanding this, we must accept that followers of Christ have the liberty to be on different sides of social and political issues.** We should not be out here in these streets violently and viciously tearing each other apart. But it is happening. Sad face here.

Surprise, Surprise: The Church is not here to establish a kingdom. Christ’s kingdom was established at His resurrection. Not through American laws or government.

Remember when people thought that Jesus had come to save them from the Roman government? They were ready for him to lead a political revolution. What a disappointment His revolution must have been when it ended with Him hanging on a cross. Of course, we, believers, understand that this death of His was not a disappointment. It was the fulfillment of God’s promise to deliver us from something much more sinister and insidious. We don’t need to repeat the same mistake of misplacing the determinations of God’s kingdom. They are eternal, they are spiritual and they are not accomplished by the agenda man.

Celebrate in Context

Whew,  that was a lot! Let’s talk about how we can live this out. Maybe it sounds like I think we shouldn’t be thankful for our country or be involved in politics. Not so. Likewise, I am not against celebrating the fourth of July, political action, or social justice activity. It is indeed a blessing to live in a nation that values justice and freedom, even if we are still struggling to manifest these for all. I am not against those whose focus is on making our country a more perfect union because they are not content with the current execution of our constitutional rights and liberties. Regardless of our perspectives, my prayer is that those of us who identify as Christ-followers will take the time to reflect on the calling and assignment that is on our individual lives as American citizens and then prioritize that over our political/social positions and passions. Let’s not blindly worship our causes. In everything, let us recognize how we can bring light, love, and truth as we interact with our fellow Americans. Iron sharpens iron. Our opposing views should make us sharper, stronger, and better. Not a hot mess of imploded wreckage.

Americans and our perspectives come in all shapes, sizes, colors, political persuasions, and a host of other varying attributes. No one is more American because:

• you have 10 flags or because you have none
• you have guns or because you don’t
• you are wealthy or live in poverty
• you celebrate July the fourth, Juneteenth, neither or both
• you bladdity blah and blah, blah, blah……….whatever else you might be thinking

As Americans, we are entitled by our constitution and laws to justice and to have our rights upheld. We are also tasked with the freedoms and responsibilities to help establish a more perfect union. This is the extent of our relationship with our government. It is very broad with much room for our contributions. More importantly though, as citizens of a heavenly kingdom, our obligations go much deeper, much further, and require more than allegiance to a political stance.

For Your Edification

As you prepare to celebrate the fourth of July (or not), I challenge you to ask yourself, in the presence of your Creator:

• How do I fulfill my assignment in this country?
• How can I keep my passionate beliefs under the Lordship of my true King?
• How can God use me for His glory in the country of my citizenship?

If we can do this, we will become the change we want to see. Our influence will grow and it will spread. It will no longer be our agenda, but “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”. Surrender your politics, your passion, and your agenda, and let the love of Christ rule and reign in, through, and for you. Amen!

References for further thought and prayer:

The preamble of the Constitution: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Scriptural References: *Mark 12:17, John 18:36, I Timothy 2:1-3, Matthew 17:24-27, **I Corinthians 8:1-9, 9:23-33

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