We
are grateful, first and foremost, for our citizenship in the Kingdom of God.
This is the eternal Kingdom that knows no boundaries, geographically or
historically. The Church is truly one “nation” under God. It is comprised of
every tribe and tongue, has grown throughout history, and is an eternal
Kingdom. Jesus is our King and He is the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Somewhere
in our American experience patriotism was wedded (in the minds of some
well-intentioned Christians) with the Kingdom of God. That’s not the same as
saying America has Christian foundations and Christian influences. America,
like every nation, should bow before King Jesus and serve Him. Nevertheless, we
must avoid the blending of our citizenship in America with our citizenship in
the Kingdom of God (i.e., the Church). The Kingdom of God is bigger than and
superior to our beloved America.
We
should be thankful for our country, and we should thank God for His kind
providence in allowing us to live in the most free and prosperous country that
has ever existed. Indeed, He has shed His grace [unmerited favor] on us.
Nevertheless, we must guard against blurring our blessed nation, or equating
our nation, with God’s Kingdom. Americans are not God’s “chosen people.” The
Church-international is God’s chosen people. Americans, to the degree we remain
faithful to God, are blessed by God. We are deeply grateful for the faithful
who have gone before us and secured that blessing, but we should never forget
that these blessings can and will be withdrawn when we, as a nation, forget the
one true and living God.
On
this Veteran’s Day we honor those who have defended our country for almost two-and-a-half centuries. We also honor those
soldiers who continue to defend our freedom.
Thank
You, Lord, for the selfless sacrifices our veterans have made to serve the
cause of freedom, truth and peace. May we not lose what has been gained by
forgetting to honor You and by remembering that real freedom, truth and peace
can only be held and advanced as we remember to honor You and Your law.
“The
kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ,
and He shall reign forever and ever!”
―Revelation
11:15
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