Where Do God And Country Meet?

Romans 13:1-7

This is a sermon delivered at Rockford Baptist Church on July 3, 2011 by Dr. Jeff Fuller.

Introduction

In October of 2002, Dr. James Dobson, then president of Focus on the Family, wrote in his newsletter these words:

“[By the election process,] as citizens of a democracy, we have the ability to make our voices heard and, as a result, vastly affect the outcome of [an] election. I urge you to keep informed about the important issues in your part of the country, and then vote your conscience…!

He also wrote-remember this was a letter written in 2002-about voter apathy:

“Voter apathy among Christians is alarmingly high. In the 2000 presidential election, more than 2 out of every 5 evangelicals failed to exercise their privilege to cast a ballot. Given the fact that it can take as little as 20 minutes to either pull that lever, fill in the bubble or dare I say, punch out the chad, there is no excuse not to vote. Now, more than ever, it is critical that men and women of faith bring their convictions to bear upon the world around them.” (October, 2002)

Here is a question for you. “Does it bother you that Dr. Dobson wrote those words, or that I even chose to read them to you this morning?”

And how about his assertion that, “Now, more than ever, it is critical that men and women of faith bring their convictions to bear upon the world around them”? Do you think that is true, or do you feel that Christians really should not say anything at all about the direction in which our country is going, or have any voice in the kind of leadership our country may choose?

In other words, where do God and country meet? How can we be good Christians and yet good citizens? Can we be both, or do we have to be one or the other? Do we have to sacrifice our love of God for love of country, or vice-versa?

Well, I think we can be both good citizens and good Christians. I’m convinced that it’s not only possible, but that, as Christians, we have a holy obligation to be the best citizens that we can possibly be.

For the next few moments, consider that idea and see just how we can be people whose love for God helps us to love our country.

REMEMBER GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY

First of all, we must realize that God is sovereign over government. The apostle Paul wrote, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except…" Except what? “…except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1)

Now that does not mean God appointed Sadam Hussein or Hitler or Stalin and used them as puppets on His string. But it does mean that God has established the principle that government is needed to be in charge of society.

And as Christians, we are to be in submission to the governing authorities even though we may not always agree with them.

It was Dr. John MacArthur who wrote: “Believers are to be model citizens, known as law-abiding not rabble-rousing, obedient rather than rebellious, respectful of government rather than demeaning of it. …a godly society, doing good and living peaceably within an ungodly society… so that the saving power of God is clearly seen.”

Going on to the next two verses of our Scripture text, we note that Paul is telling us that God has set up 2 reasons or purposes for government.

The first purpose is to do good. Listen to Paul’s words, “Rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good." (Romans 13:3-4a)

A second purpose for government is to restrain evil. Verse 4 goes on to say, "But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer."

You know that is true. Every time you hear a siren or see red lights behind you, what do you do? Do you look at the speedometer to see if you’re driving within the speed limit. And do you wonder, "Is my seat belt fastened? Do I have my insurance card? Is my state license sticker current?"

If all the answers are "Yes," then you breathe a sigh of relief. But if you have broken the law, then you’re afraid because the government has the power to punish you for your disobedience of the law.

We think that a republic based on democracy is the best because it has served us well here in the United States for 235 years. But we must understand that our Constitution was written assuming that the citizens of this land would be moral, God-fearing people.

That’s the only way democracy will work because democracy becomes whatever the people are. If the people become pagan and immoral and violent, then the government becomes pagan and immoral and violent.

You put 5 people on an island, 3 men and 2 women, and the three of the five vote to kill two of the five, that’s democracy. But that’s democracy at its worst. So democracy has the capability of becoming an evil form of government if the people are evil. And I’m concerned about America.

Once, theocracy was the form of government over Israel. That is, God was their ruler. He gave the laws. The prophets and priests were His spokesmen. But as time passed, the people began to desire a king like all the other countries. So God finally allowed them to have kings. And it didn’t take long for them to become unhappy about that, too.

The point is whatever the form of government - democracy, theocracy, monarchy, pagan or godly - God has still been able to work in or through them to accomplish His will. And He wants His people to work in them for Him, too.

SEEK HIS GRACE

Secondly, to be the best possible Christian citizens we can be, we need to seek God’s continued grace upon our nation.

Looking back over the pages of history, I’m convinced that it is only by God’s grace and mercy that our nation even came into existence, and that we lasted long enough to enjoy the freedoms and blessings that are ours today.

And of all the nations and empires that this world has seen, we are now the only real superpower left, and the one most of the world looks to for help when troubles arise and disasters strike.

I think God’s grace was poured out upon us when our founding fathers sought His guidance and protection in forming a republic on this continent unlike any other that the world had ever seen – a nation dedicated to the ideal of being “one nation under God.” Truly, God has blessed America!

But let me call your attention to the words of Isaiah 40:15, “Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales…” Now why did I read that? Simply to remind us just how fragile and temporary we really are. No matter how powerful or rich we seem to be, in God’s hands we’re just a disaster or two away from destruction. And if God chose to do so, He could blow us away just as easily as the wind blows the dust off the scales.

We’re all familiar with 2 Chronicles 7:14, but let’s look at it again to see how it relates to the idea of being a good citizen. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

But did you notice? This familiar passage of Scripture is not addressed to unbelievers, but to believers. And it is saying that we’re the ones who need to repent and turn our faces to God for healing if His grace is to continue on our nation.

MAKE OUR FAITH APPARENT

Realize, too, that if our love for God causes us to want to be the very best Christian citizen that we can be, then we need to make our faith apparent and our witness relevant to those around us.

Back in the late 1980’s large groups of parents all across California were getting alarmed about the downward spiral the public schools were experiencing. Finally, they had had enough, and a determined effort to seek out Christians willing to get involved and run for places on the school boards was begun. As a result, in the 1992 and 1994 elections the people of California elected Christians to a majority of the school boards. And it wasn’t long until they began to make their presence felt.

Incidentally, the follow-up of that story is that the test scores of the kids began escalating after the Christian parents had gotten involved. Many schools are now back in the hands of the parents, and things are changing.

We need to learn that lesson. We dare not be intimidated into believing that we have to keep our mouths closed. We need to stand up and speak up and begin to work within the system. We must encourage people who are guided by Christian principles to serve in government offices and change the direction of our country. We must do it if we are to avoid the curse of God.

The only hope I see for our land is for Christians to get off their seats of apathy and begin to do something to change the direction it is going. Then I believe that God will truly bless America once again.

PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS

In 1 Timothy 2:1-4 the apostle Paul said, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved…”

Our president needs our prayers. Our governor needs our prayers. Our county government needs our prayers. Our mayor needs our prayers. Our leaders and all their support staff, the legislators, and all in authority over us need our prayers.

In our seeking of God’s face to heal our land, we need to lift up our leaders in our daily prayers, asking God to give them wisdom and discernment in making their decisions.

And as we pray for them, we need to pray that God will touch the hearts of those leaders who don’t know Him, and strengthen those who do. Pray for their souls and for their families. Lift them up before God. Pray for them, and ask God blessings upon them.

REMEMBER OUR CITIZENSHIP

Finally, in becoming the best Christian citizen that you can be, remember where your citizenship really is. Listen again to the apostle Paul,

“Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of…Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame….”

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who…will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.” (Philippians 3:17-21)

There is a time coming when you and I won’t be facing the hassles of this world anymore. And if Jesus Christ is your Savior and your Lord, you’ll be experiencing the glory of heaven, in the presence of the Lord God Almighty, creator of the heavens and earth, who sent His Son so we could look past the hurts, look past the anger, look past the problems and see what God has for us when we leave this world!

CONCLUSION

There’s a saying that goes, “Freedom is never free.” You and I live in a country that cost men their lives to make us free. They made the ultimate sacrifice, and some are still doing it, so you and I can be citizens of the greatest country on earth.

The famous Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky told the story of the time he was arrested by the Czar and sentenced to die. The Czar, though, liked to play cruel psychological tricks on some of his prisoners by blindfolding them and standing them in front of a firing squad. The blindfolded prisoners would hear the command to fire and the rifleshots, but would feel nothing. Then they would slowly realize that the guns were loaded with blanks.

Dostoevsky went through this experience himself. He said that going through the process of believing that he was really going to die had a transforming effect on his life. He talked about waking up that morning certain that it would be his last day of life. He ate his last meal and savored every bite. Every breath of air he took was precious. Every face he saw, he studied with full intensity. Every moment was etched into his mind.

As they marched him into the courtyard, he felt the heat of the sun and appreciated its warmth like never before. Everything around him seemed to have a magical quality. He was seeing the world in a way he had never seen it before. Then when he realized that he had not been shot and that he was not going to die, everything had changed. He became thankful for everything about his life, and grateful for people he had previously hated. (Adapted from SC)

You see, Dostoevsky was given a temporary reprieve from earthly death. Yet, because of sin, like all of us, he still faced a certain and eternal death. But in the same way that our freedom in this country was bought with the blood of our ancestors, so also our home in heaven has been purchased by One who died to set us free. Jesus paid the price so you and I could be citizens of a heavenly kingdom.

So let me ask you – are you a citizen of heaven? If you were to die today, would you have a home in heaven? It won’t be good enough to say you were an American. It won’t be good enough to say you gave to charity. It won’t be good enough to say you went to church. The only way to become a citizen of heaven is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and your Savior. You did not choose where you were born, but you can choose where you will spend eternity.

This morning we extend His invitation, and pray that you will give Him your heart and your life. We invite you to come as we stand and as we sing.

Research: PREACHER: Rev. Melvin M. Newland; LOCATION: Central Christian Church; Brownsville, Texas; DATE: 10/1/2002; Major portions of this message have been adapted from an excellent sermon, “God and Country,” by Bryan La Croix on SC