01/03/2023
As believers we worship God, but as citizens we should never worship our government or nation; neither of these are gods, and neither of them has a soul. Nations are made up of a collection of individual people who are either likeminded, ruled by a common system of government, or of common ancestry, but even though God blesses or punishes groups of individual citizens that have joined to constitute a nation He does not punish or reward the abstract thought that we call a nation… only the people who espouse its ideology and pursue it. Are we guilty of raising up our country and government to the level of God? Do we shout out “For God and Country!” as we run into battle against our neighbor or those we consider our enemies, and treat God and country as if they were equals?
“The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God. Put them in fear, O Lord! Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah”
Psalm 9:17, 20 ESV
Nations are but men, and yet as citizens we will allow ungodly kings and others the right to rule over us forgetting that although they were allowed to rule by God and control much of the worldly flow of our daily lives, they have no power over our eternal lives. They might lead us into battle, punish, and even kill our bodies, but they have no rule over the life or death of our spirit and soul. Only God can judge these.
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Matthew 10:28 ESV
We read verses that are meant to tell us that God rules over Kings just as He does us and yet we somehow believe that if he puts a king in place that this man is righteous; that just isn’t the case, and we are not meant to follow him blindly. Rulers are simply tools in the hand of God, and He uses them for His own purposes… God uses both the good and the bad to achieve His will. Nations, or governments, are used like chess pieces in the Lord’s hand as He leads their citizens or others who worship Him into salvation.
“He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;”
Daniel 2:21 ESV
We read the scripture in which Jesus says that we are to give unto Cesar what is Cesar’s, but in saying this He isn’t telling us to follow our government into sinful activities, no, He is defining the division between our personal salvation, church, and state…
“Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.””
Matthew 22:17-21 ESV
Today’s message isn’t about insurrection, but about how we are to follow our belief and faith righteously in God and Jesus Christ while being ruled by an ungodly regime, or in a difficult situation that challenges our beliefs. Our nation isn’t responsible for our salvation… we are, and doing abominable things in the name of ungodly governments doesn’t excuse us from judgement before God. Our faith is a personal one, and just as living in a predominately Christian country doesn’t necessarily make us a Christian, so it is that every person must seek out their own salvation.
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”
Philippians 2:12-13, 15-16 ESV
So nations are comprised of men, women, and children, individuals who will be judged by their own actions. Nations can also be bad or good, and evil or righteous based on how it’s citizens behave, but even in the midst of the bad or evil that surrounds us we are meant to remain righteous, good, loving, and if need be… martyrs so that we will remain in the presence of God for eternity. Jesus didn’t go to the cross to give Himself to Cesar because it was the law, no, He went to the cross and died for you and me.
“And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!””
Luke 23:34-35 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for dealing with each man, woman, and child’s, salvation individually, and for allowing us to seek out and find righteousness in the midst of an unbelieving nation or people. Thank you Lord for holding us personally accountable for our belief in you, and faith in Jesus Christ. Thank you for your grace that flows through Jesus and covers us if we will only receive it. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is above all men, all rulers, and all would be gods. Praised be your name for standing at our door and knocking even in the midst of a neighborhood of sinful, evil, and unbelieving people. Merciful are you who gives us strength and courage in our faith before those who would kill us for it. We open our hearts to you and fear no man or nation for what they can do to us because their reach only extends to the limits of this world, and our earthly bodies are transient in nature, returning to dust, but in you we are lifted up, resurrected, given an incorruptible body, and made to live eternally in your presence. Father, wash us clean of sin and corruption in the blood of Jesus. Open our eyes to your mercy and grace, so that we will follow your will and commandments despite all adversity and threat of harm we might face. Judge us worthy in Christ so that that in our salvation you will be glorified forevermore.
Rich Forbes