How to be a Patriotic Christian

Today Americans celebrate the 235th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. It's a time for citizens to express our patriotism, our love for our country and its people.

Recognizing that many of my blog's readers live in different nations around the globe (some of which are hostile to the Christian faith), I have been thinking about how the Bible gives us some guidance in expressing our love for our countries and their people.

Here are a few ideas:

1. Pray. "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:1-4). If we have a fair, decent, competent, and honest government, we are more likely to be able to live peaceful and quiet lives. We will be able to spread the good news of Christ with fewer obstacles in our way. Perhaps more people, even leaders within our governments, will be able to hear God's message more clearly. Perhaps they will respond favorably and join with us in following Jesus.

2. Submit. "Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities..." (Titus 3:1). "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God...for he is God's servant for your good" (Romans 13:1, 4). Generally, when we follow the rules, we help our societies to function better. Anarchy and rebellious attitudes can bring societies to ruin. Our neighbors could suffer harm when we are rebellious against authority.

3. Go Beyond the Legal Requirements in Order to Do Good to Others. "Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people" (Titus 3:1-2). A person can treat people horribly and not violate a single law in my country. The law tends to set minimal standards of behavior in a society. A Christian can stand out in a community by going beyond the requirements of the law, by being "ready for every good work," by refusing to slander others (especially the government's leaders), by avoiding quarrels (especially concerning relatively unimportant political preferences), and by being gentle and courteous toward everyone.

Whether a Christian lives in the USA, Russia, China, Nigeria, Iran, Brazil, or anywhere else on the planet, he can love his country and its people by adhering to these principles.

A Few Biblical Principles for Voting

"Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper" (Jeremiah 29:7, NIV)

These are some biblical principles that I keep in mind as I prepare to vote:

1. The government exists in order to protect innocent people from those who would harm them (Romans 13:1-7). In a democratic republic, ordinary citizens are more responsible for their government than are the subjects of a dictatorship. We are responsible for seeking good leaders and just policies.

2. God's people have an obligation to seek the good of their communities, even if they are a minority within it (Jeremiah 29:7). We may not win every battle--in fact, we may lose most--but love for our neighbors will prompt us to continue our efforts to benefit them.

3. Many political decisions are matters of applying wisdom to differing circumstances. For example, sometimes wisdom demands that taxes be raised (Genesis 41:28-36). At other times, it requires that the burden be lowered (1 Kings 12:1-17). We need humility and wisdom from God to know the best course of action. Also, we need to be gracious toward those who do not see things as we do. They may not have as much information as we do, or they may have more. We need to be open to learning from those we see as our political opponents. Sometimes they are right.

4. On most political issues, God's people can remain silent. However, when an issue involves an unjust threat to innocent human lives, we cannot keep quiet (Esther 7:3-4). We will speak up for them. We will use our influence on their behalf. They need people who will defend their right to life; and we cannot remain aloof.

Thank God for the Government

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way" (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

It's easy to complain about the government. It's not perfect. Some of its leaders are incompetent and/or corrupt. Some of its activities are counterproductive.

However, it's far better than living without a functioning government. Who among us would like to trade places with Haitians or Somalis? I suspect that they would love to have our complaints in exchange for a functioning government.

It's good to have a military, police force, and firefighters. It's good to have highways and streets. It's good to have schools and libraries. It's good to have courts and prisons.

A properly functioning government is a gift from God. It seeks justice. It provides societal stability. It's a blessing to everyone who seeks a peaceful and quiet life.

Thank you, God, for the government.

Praying for President Obama

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

I will be the first to admit that I did not vote for President Obama. Unless he changes to a pro-life position in the next election cycle, I do not plan to vote for him the next time either.

However, I like the man. I like his commitment to being as good a husband and father as he knows how to be. I like his challenge to men (especially young black men) to step up and be real men, honorable and respectable men in their families and communities. I like his commitment to civility. I admire his ability to face obstacles with confidence and courage.

President Obama has a difficult job. He has a few flaws in his political philosophy that could cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent children over the next few years. He faces terrorists and an unstable economy. Who knows what else he will face in the next few years?

The president needs our prayers. He needs our respect and our willingness to help him. He needs good advice and advisers. He needs sound spiritual counsel as he faces problems we can only imagine.

I want to follow Rick Warren's example at the inauguration this morning. (On a side note, I loved that Mr. Warren prayed in the name of Jesus in English, Spanish, Hebrew, and Arabic so that no one would misunderstand the object of his faith.) I want to pray for him to be the best president possible. I'm committed to doing it, too.

The Christian Chronicle has published an outstanding editorial about respecting and honoring our political leaders at www.christianchronicle.org/article2158683~Giving_respect%2C_honor_to_leaders. I would recommend for every Christian to read the good ideas conveyed in the piece.

Living in the Tension

"Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. Therefore
'If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of
fire on his head.'
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:17-21, NKJV).

"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil" (Romans 13:1-4, NKJV).

Shortly after the terrorists' attacks on September 11, 2001, I prayed with a group of Christians for Osama bin Laden and his fellow terrorists to repent, to have a change of heart and to become followers of Christ. Afterwards, a fellow Christian asked if I supported the war against terrorists. I answered, "Yes." Confused, he asked, "Then how can you pray for them on one hand and support efforts to kill them on the other?" That's a fair question.

My answer lies within the tension between the end of Romans 12 and the beginning of Romans 13.

I attempt to care about my enemies, as Paul taught in Romans 12. Despite the evil within them, I want the best for them. I would love to see terrorists turn from Allah to Jesus Christ. I want them to place their trust in what he has done to save them. I would love to see them acknowledging Christ as their Lord and submitting to baptism in his name. I desire to see them expressing faith in Christ through love for others.

I also support my government's efforts to avenge the innocent and to terrorize people who would harm others, as Paul taught in Romans 13. The government has a God-given responsibility to do so. When I served on a jury a couple of years ago, I had to deal with this issue as we were attempting to sentence a rapist and burglar for smashing in his girlfriend's face. Wanting to love my neighbors by protecting them from this violent man, I pushed for the strongest sentence possible. While we need to love our enemies, we cannot allow it to prevent us from loving our other neighbors. The government exists to prevent evil people from harming others. When it is attempting to do its job, I need to support it.

I will continue to pray for the terrorists while supporting the government's war against them. In doing so, I am trying to love my neighbors and my enemies.