Christians should be unapologetic about seeing their cities, and even their nations, become Christian once again. They should desire to see the might, power, and glory of King Jesus reflected in our nation's daily affairs. And they should make no apologies for saying this.
Conversely, it is inappropriate for Christians to feel guilty for declaring that Christ is King and hoping that everything will submit to Him. Moreover, we ought not to feel guilty for trying to make this happen. The church ought to make a concerted effort to see America turn back into a Christian nation.
Allow me to unpack one passage that would encourage us in this direction. The following is stated in Ephesians 1:19–23:
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
Focus for a moment on verse 22 - God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.
Our Father has placed all things under Christ’s authority for the good of HIS church and for His glory. This truth should guide Christians' actions, words, and motives. Christ is no longer a suffering servant, He is ruling and reigning, and that rule is to be advanced and established over all things.
Yes, America Was A Christian Nation
We are often told that attempts to Christianize our nation, at least in a US context, are in violation of the ‘division between church and state’, and that to do so flies in the face of the apparently secular project of the United States. However, a quick check through our history shows this to be false.
America’s founders thought in a way much more akin to what I am describing, and what the Bible teaches about how nations should conduct themselves, than along the lines of some supposed religious neutrality. They longed to found a nation that advanced the Biblical Christian faith. Read the opening lines of the Mayflower Compact: “In the name of God, Amen. …Having undertaken for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith…”The goal of the pilgrims and puritans was to see a nation that was founded upon Christian laws and morals.
Similarly, George Washington believed in this concept. In his farewell speech he stated the following “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.” He knew for this experiment called America to work the people must be people who are governed by the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Later, on February 29, 1892, the Supreme Court declared in its ruling in Holy Trinity v. United States: “The historical record of America overwhelmingly demonstrated that the United States is a Christian nation.”
Thus, despite what the media and popular culture may claim, America WAS founded on an explicitly Christian basis.
Should Christians Sanctify Their Nations?
As the church and as Christians, we HAVE to come back to this idea, and endeavor to bring our governments back to the biblical foundation on which they were founded.
Now when it comes to doing this, perhaps the basic starting point should be the ten commandments.The benchmark for morality is found in these ten declarations made by God Himself.
I understand that no man can keep the law perfectly (Galatians 3:11) and that the law's purpose is to show us that we are sinners in need of a Savior (Romans 3:19–20), but nevertheless, these are God’s just commands, and we should endeavor to govern our nation in accordance with them. Every other law that our culture has produced stems from these ten laws. Regretfully, a large number of churches in our committees have forsaken this standard of morality and thus where we find ourselves in this day and age.
The church must repent of its apathy towards sin and its laziness towards the pursuit of godliness, and not just on a personal level, but a societal one.
There is quite simply no way we would be witnessing the tide of immortality in our world if Christians did this. If we desired to see the kingdom of God come, and took proactive steps towards building that reality in our local communities, there would be a return to God’s holy standard.
The church does have the power to do exactly this, having been named by Christ as the ‘salt’ and the ‘light’ of our world. Salt preserves good and prevents rot and decay.Darkness is dispersed and gloom is removed by light.
Christian, you are authorized to carry out this task. You are the city on a hill. The myth that you are powerless to alter the environment around you is just that - a myth. Do not allow the pagans fool you into thinking that this is not something that needs to be done. For it can, and it ought to to be accomplished.
