Of God & Government

July 4th fireworks, Flower Mound, TX

Of God & Government.

Now that's a broad title! The following discourse could go any number of directions and cover any number of subjects. Whenever you talk about God and government (the human institution) you're almost always going to step on someone's toes. And that toe-stepping is always going to hurt someone. My apologies in advance.

Yesterday was July 4, Independence Day in the United States. Now we here Americans usually celebrate in grand fashion, inviting family and friends over for backyard cookouts or lakeside fiestas and then watching a slew of colorful and majestic fireworks to conclude the celebration. In between morning and night is , basically, one big, long daytime party. For most folks, anyway. I spent yesterday resting and working in my yard. No poolside party, no lakeside loitering. It was quite nice to have a day of rest. I didn't think about work once.

But every July 4 I find a disturbing philosophy once again infiltrates the church in America. Patriotism for America almost always becomes part of the theology of the church. Churches display American flags and sing patriotic hymns. Preachers give thanks for their freedom by invoking George Washington and Jesus Christ in the same sentence. When I was a worship pastor in Gainesville, I refused to lead the Sunday congregation in patriotic music around July 4 because we come to church to celebrate the Body of Christ and not the country of our residence.

There is a separation that exists between church and state and it's not the separation you might think. It's not liberal theology or conservative ideology. I'm talking about God's created separation -- a separation process that started with the cross and ended with an empty grave. God has separated those who believe in His Son from the rest of the world -- its inhabitants, its institutions and its philosophies. Those whom He has saved (separated) He has placed into His Church, the Body of Christ, and has given them citizenship in a different country -- a far country -- a better country. Listen to the words of Paul to the church in Philippi.

"For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." (Phil 3:18-21)

One thing all believers need to realize is that we are eternal citizens of heaven. But what about my passport? What about my driver's license? What about the IRS? Here is where the line is drawn. We are citizens of our national governments on paper but their power over us does not touch the spiritual. We are commanded to live at peace with our neighbors, to pray for our governments, to obey them by observing their laws and paying their taxes. We have such duties under those governments.

But the country and the church are not the same.

And I, for one, am very glad they are not the same. A quick study of church history shows that the Church was severely damaged in 325 A.D. by the intrusion of Emperor Constantine into the spiritual affairs of the church. What followed the famous Council of Nicea was 1700 years of governments messing with religion.

Where am I going with all this? To simply remind you that the fireworks may be pretty and the pool party fun but never forget that you are citizens of an eternal kingdom -- a far country, to be sure -- but one that demands your allegiance. Serve the Lord always. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.

I have no problem with celebrating Independence Day or any other national holiday. We are physical citizens of the United States and enjoy the freedoms earned for us by our ancestors. So celebrate America! It's a great place to live, in my opinion. But are you willing to leave it behind for the sake of heaven, if God asks you to do so?

America may one day fade away as a nation. But heaven has been established by God. Seek the higher kingdom. But also enjoy the fireworks.

UPDATE (6/9): The sentiment I expressed in this post is echoed in a marvelous song by Ben Shive called "4th of July." You can listen to it through the Rabbit Room. Follow the link below and celebrate the "evening star."

http://www.rabbitroom.com/?p=911#more-911