"One nation under God"
It's a phrase that is so often used in our society, and more often that not, it is used in a setting that is controversial. School prayer, "Christian country", conservative politics, etc. It is a phrase that is loved by conservative christians. It seems as if in order to be a good christian in the U.S. you must be "proud to be an American", a phrase that equates in todays political climate to someone who is a patriotic, conservative American. There is a sense that the typical American christian values their americanism to the same degree (if not more) as their christianity. Do we realize how that line of thinking does not align with the biblical narrative at all?
In Paul's letter to the church in Philippi, he list of his "resume" of why he could have confidence in the flesh, aka following the Jewish law. He discusses how he is a "Hebrew of Hebrews". In the very next sentence, Paul states, "but everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ" (Phil 3:7 CSB). Among that included Paul saying that his identity as a Jew was counted as loss compared to knowing Christ. Paul was more than willing to lay aside his identity as a Hebrew in order to pick up his identity as a Christian. To Paul, knowing Christ was infinitely more valuable than his identity as a Hebrew.
What would it look like if christians living in the United States believed the same thing? At the moment, being an American is at least of equal value as being a christian in the American christian culture. We'll say we count everything as loss...unless it is being an American or if it means I have to give up my comfort or my opinions. We have attached our political and cultural beliefs to our Christianity. We have made them one and the same, rather than counting everything as loss for the sake of knowing Christ.
Many Christians in the U.S. are the largest stumbling block to others coming to Christ because we simply do not live out the Gospel, and care more about politics and "rights" than we do Jesus. Christ simply becomes part of their identity as Americans rather than their entire identity. When we legislate morality, we're trying to change people while simultaneously forgetting that we can't change people, only God can. We are quick to tear people down because they protest or hold a belief different from ours because it doesn't fit in to our view of "America". But do we even once think what the word of God commands of us (in its appropriate context).
If we began to truly pursue God, study our bibles/sound doctrine, and identify as Christians first and foremost, would we be so quick to judge and tear down. Would we be so quick to insult people because of their belief or demonize people in the public eye (both politically and culturally) because of their positions or view points? Would we be so quick to legislate morality? Would we be so hesitant to take the Gospel to the nations?
or...
Would you see a church that cares more about following Jesus and making the gospel known? Would you see a church that is willing to sit, listen, and try to understand what people are going through? Would you see people willing to move to other countries so that the Gospel is proclaimed because their no longer overly attached to "America"?
Are christians in America truly willing to count everything as loss for the sake of knowing Christ?
