May-June 1999
Make America Great Again
by J. Michael Feazell
| Why are we Christians so prone to spend more time worrying about other people's behavior than our own? Do we honestly think God is more disgusted by other people's sins than by ours? |
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" (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Chances are you have heard the above passage used more than once in recent years as the scriptural backdrop for a plea for prayer for the repentance of the nation. The preacher usually begins by verbally painting a frightening portrait of national sinfulness. He or she then moves to a grave recitation of the above passage, often accompanied by a stirring musical rendition of the same verse. The program is then concluded with a passionate exhortation to join some form of an all-out prayerful and legislative assault on national sin to the end that God will heal our nation and "make American great again."
I wonder how many well-meaning preachers have noticed, however, that this passage has nothing to do with the United States. The call to repentance here is not directed toward any twentieth-century nation or political entity. It is directed toward "my people," the people of God.
Specially Favored
It is fascinating how American Christians tend to think of their country as God's specially favored nation. It is as though the United States is the modern Israel, delivered from bondage across the sea and is therefore entitled to "most favored nation" status in God's sight as long as the sinning public doesn't get too far out of hand.
Why are we Christians so prone to spend more time worrying about other people's behavior than our own? Do we honestly think God is more disgusted by other people's sins than by ours?
The exhortation in 2 Chronicles was given to the people of Israel in the presence of God. In the end, they did not heed his warning and eventually were driven out of the promised land. The time would come, however, God declared, when he would forgive them and restore them. As Christians, we ought to know that God has fulfilled his promises to Israel, and through them his plans for the whole world, by sending Jesus Christ. Through faith in Jesus, people can enter the kingdom of God. The apostles were sent to preach to all people everywhere, and people out of every nation listened and believed the message. They still do.
God's Will
The true hope for American Christians does not lie in Christian-driven new legislation or stronger penalties for sinful behavior. It lies in the life of faith in Jesus. The Christian goal must not be to make America great, but to trust in the name of the Lord, the One before whom we all must bow.
Nations need good laws. The United States needs good laws. A moral society is much to be preferred over an immoral one. But we must never fall prey to the assumption that we would all be closer to God if only conservative Christians could make the laws. God is honored by a heart that loves him, not by a "better" set of rules with stiffer penalties.
God has not called us into his kingdom to stamp out sin. He has not called us to condemn sinners. He called us to enter the new life in Christ, the sort of life that no longer joins in with the sinfulness of its neighbors, yet manages, as Christ's ambassadors, to reflect to them not condemnation, but Jesus' own grace and mercy. As we Christians, in light of the amazing grace that is ours, learn how to humble ourselves, perhaps that reflection will grow stronger.
J. Michael Feazell, M.Div., is executive editor of Plain Truth. An ordained minister and widely traveled conference lecturer, Mike also serves as director of denominational publications for the Worldwide Church of God.