Some of us from church went to see the Rockies game last night (they won 11-3!) and stayed for the fireworks display. Although my view was obstructed by the upper-deck overhang, it was quite the show. They played all of the traditional patriotic music along with the fireworks. Several of the songs made direct and open references to God, thanking Him for blessing America. This gave me pause.
Before I go on, let me say that I am not anti-America. I'm happy to live here, and I am very grateful for the freedoms and lifestyle I enjoy. I have to wonder, though, given today's American culture, what must God think about us? We are allowed to talk about Him on holidays, during tragedies and after sporting events (God obviously favors the winning team), but even then it seems these references are little more than emotive utterances, devoid of any true meaning, apart from "warm fuzzies". We have effectively removed Him from TV, movies and music (with a few exceptions, to be sure). He dare not show up in our schools. We require our politicans to be nominal Christians, but they must vote as secular humanists.
On the other hand, there are many good Christians out there in our churches. We have myriad compassionate followers of Christ doing what they can to enlarge God's kingdom. They embody the love of Christ in their communities. They truly are "walking in the light as He is in the light."
As I view the ends of the spectrum, I wonder what God thinks about "the greatest country on the planet". How great are we? How wicked are we? Does God's grace extend to the whole on the behalf of the few? Does God's justice flow out on us because of the many?
I do not have an answer to these questions, other than, "Wait and see."
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11 comments:
It's an interesting question, and I agree I'm not sure how that all plays out. I will say that maybe it's not really about God blessing or judging the nations today.
First of all, I really don't think America or any other nation is soley Christian nation (at least not in the terms of the Old Testiment where God blessed and "cursed" nations, which as a whole believe in the One God or in false gods. From my understanding it's not like today where we have a mixture of beleives all in one nation).
So with that said maybe it's more about the Church, since we are the gentiles that were grafited into the nation of His choosen people (thoses who beleive in Christ.) Could it be that this is the "nation" which he choose to bless or judge?
I'm not saying that we don't have to be watchfull of what our nation is doing, but that true change, comes through he church and His people.
-Jessica, Jon's wife.
I thought I'd leave a comment for once :-)
Jon,
I admit my patriotic spirit comes out often with tears during this July Independence Day Celebration. Some of the tears come from being overwhelmed at the comforts and freedoms I get to enjoy and some tears over the blatant lack of appreciation that I see in the general public at times. We want these "rights" but without sacrifices. It is good at least we have events that remind people that just maybe God does have a part in all we get to enjoy. Just maybe our nation was founded on some solid biblical principles. I don't believe in "maybe", I am sure! I just wish more Americans, and those who especially capture the media's attention, would realize what it has truly taken to become the United States of America. Too many want to live in the present and say the past has little effect now. They want to use the founding fathers ideals and twist them to promote a view that has no God involved. Well I say where would we be without the pioneers whose faith established new homes across this land, or the soliders who have laid their lives down, or the laws that have been set based on biblical principles. Ok, I could go on and on about the history of this nation that once collectivly supported Christian values. Now Americans seem to be apathatic and only self serving. But Jon you did hit the nail on the head when you mentioned that many Christians are out there being lights and making a difference. Jess you too made the point that change comes through Godly people upholding His Word. One of my favorite songs on the radio of late is "Let It Be Said of Me". So our challenge is to not give up striving to uphold Godly principles. May it always be said of me that I was faithful and made a difference where God put me. May you make a difference too. God Bless (and he has)
“God keep our land, glorious and free”. June the 1st is Canada Day our national celebration and that is part of our national anthem. Years ago there was an attempt to take those words out of the anthem but there was a massive uproar so it stayed in. A lot of countries have these kinds of references.
How did the early Church survive the first century or the 200 years of aggression after that from the state? In this day and age how does the Church survive sever persecution? The Church thrives in these situations, where something can be lost, job, family, life.
Wealth, safety, freedom does not necessarily mean that God is forcing those things to happen to a country or an individual person.
America is no more God’s country than is Canada or any other country. For more about his check out my Canada Day article on my blog http://www.lifeontheblade.blogspot.com/
By the way nice to see a comment from you Jessica, I would love my wife make comments on my blog!!!
Very thought provoking. I certainly don't think we are a "Christian nation" seeing that the majority of the "Christian" founding fathers were Deists. But I wonder, also, becuase these questions can also be applied to any other nation. Hasn't all nations despised God? So what must God think about humanity as a whole? I don't think this would only apply to America, though certainly it does apply. "Common grace" comes to mind.
First of all...I wish my husband would leave comments on my blog...You have a supportive wife!
I dont know where the basis for this thought comes from but this is a blessed nation....I dont know why God has blessed it because like you said...we have removed God from everything.But you can see the blessings in everything.
Our pastor talked about America in the Bible,unfortunately a man decided to maul me so I could not sit thro the service(he just tried to touch me,I am an exaggerater!)But when I get the tape,I will be back to comment and back up my theory!
Jessica: I think you are right that the church can effect true change. Thanks for commenting and making all the other bloggers jealous of me! Love you lots!
Mom-in-law: Thanks for the comments! I thought your last few sentences about always striving to be godly were very good.
livingsword: I appreciated the non-American view on this. It's always good to have different perspectives. I agree with you that the church thrives under persecution, and lots of money does not always equal God's blessing. I think some Jewish people a few thousand years ago had a hard time remembering this, too.
Janelle: Good job interpreting this issue globally. I do wonder what God thinks about all of us. Of course, are we really all that different from people during any other time? I would think not.
frasypoo: I'm a little confused about the mauling part, but please do comment further about the subject of your pastor's sermon when you get the chance.
frasypoo,
Okay, I just read what happened with the homeless dude in your blog. Now I understand.
Thats funny,
I should have left a link to that post!!I am taking my personal bodygaurd next week,my husband!!The one week he does not come,things happen!
Jon;
I should mention that although I seem to always make a point of the Canadian/American thing we are obviously very similar nations, I love the US and visit the States at least a few times a year. I am not anti-American ( I know you are not sayng that but thought I would throw it out to "everybody". I am intentional in expressing a slightly different view.
I love the international perspective you can get with blogs. Thanks for all your good articles.
good post jon i would just add i do believe God honors the idea of a sovereign man that this country endeavors to achieve, and blessing of any nature is not the sole property of this country.
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