THOUGHTS ON THE LORD’S DAY
“America, a Christian nation or a nation of Christians?”
“Happy is the nation whose God is Yahweh, the people He has chosen to be His own possession.” Psalms 33:12 (HCSB)
A Christian nation cannot be formed primarily by legislation. A Christian nation by democratic vote was never God’s intent. The primary goal of evangelism is a nation of Christians who can then shape the heart of its citizens toward Kingdom values. For this to happen, the “called out ones” known as the Church, must occupy the places of influence.
Those places of influence are business who pays for everything. Government who controls everything through legislation. And, education who determines everyone’s values, philosophy and world view. These places, known as gates in the Old Testament, require Christ’s ambassadors in order that the “Gates of Hell do not prevail.” Matthew 16:18.
We need Kingdom warriors who are no longer part of this world’s system but set apart from it. You can’t be part of the same system that you are trying reclaim. The Christian walk is a journey of unfolding events and steps toward becoming what God has already declared us to be.
There are not enough spiritual athletes. We have too many spectators and not enough active players. It is easier to buy a ticket and watch from the stands than it is to suit up and engage the opposition on the field, the public square.
America will never be reclaimed by Christians who have become earthly in orientation and fleshly in operation. Too often, we conform to the patterns of the world’s system when we are called by God to shape our sphere of influence into the very image of Christ, according to Romans 12:1-2.
We focus on religion instead of relationship and “practice” our faith instead of passionately pursuing the Author and Finisher of our faith. We have become people possessed with knowledge about our Creator as opposed to being intimately acquainted with our Creator.
America needs everyday walking around believers who know how to live with, for and like Christ. The foundation never shifts, and the basics never change. Read, meditate and study God’s word. Learn obedience to His voice. They never conflict. Practice prayer, silence and solitude, the discipline of all mature believers. Hold yourself accountable to someone over you in the Lord. Hebrews 13.
The moral high ground in America will be regained when we have disciples who don’t just talk about biblical disciplines but make them a way of life to be cultivated. Building a biblical rule book can be wearisome and many times, devastating.
However, having a Christ-focused and disciplined life is liberating. The Church must teach and inspire her followers to be faithful, following learners of Christ before they can shape the surrounding culture to reflect Christ.
“Let every student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed, to consider well (that) the main and end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life, John 17:3. And, therefore lay Christ in the bottom, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning.”
Founding Mission Statement
Harvard University, 1643
How far we have fallen as a nation since that statement was carved in stone 377 years ago at America’s oldest institute of higher learning.
When the enemy’s value system prevails on nearly every school board, city council and county commission in America, how can we continue to say America is a Christian nation? Who controls the influence in your city?