Examining National Identity from a Biblical Perspective
If you were asked about your national identity, would you say without hesitation, a Christian, or would you say American? If you answer “Christian,” have you considered how that should shape your view on public policy?
Is it possible that we, as followers of Jesus, support public policies that are incongruent with our professed identity? And if so, how would we know?
How should those of us with a biblical worldview approach Criminal Justice, Education, Immigration, Prohibition of Vices, Taxes, and more from a public policy standpoint? We are all capable of thinking critically about these subjects even if we are not an expert in a specific area, but are we thinking biblically about them?
Or is it possible, as believers with a biblical worldview, that we have not fully considered our approach to these subjects in light of how Jesus handled the relevant situations of His day? Should we not at least consider the possibility that our approach is influenced more by the world’s norms and ethics than Jesus’ teaching?
If we, as members of the church, defined by being baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Spirit, are one in Christ Jesus, as Paul told the churches of Galatia and the faithful at Colosse, then how should we identify?
Should we see ourselves as Christians who were fortunate to be born in or live in America, thankful for our earthly citizenship, or Americans who are Christians, Republicans who are Christian, Democrats who are Christian, or even the rare Libertarian who is a Christian?
Do we get to hyphenate our identity in some way other than a follower of Jesus? How does the Bible define the believer in terms of identity?
Some of you will have understood and applied a biblical worldview to your citizenship earlier in your discipleship journey than I did. Thank you for leading the way. I say that with sincerity. Often, wisdom that is so clear to others takes me years, sometimes a decade or longer, to grasp and apply. This was the case with my citizenship. It is a process, and I am still growing in it.
Paul said specifically in Galatians 3:26-29 (NKJV)(Paul to the churches of Galatia):
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Colossians 3:8-17 (NKJV)(Paul to the faithful at Colossae):
8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all… 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
ChatGTP understands the question better than many leaders in “the Church” and said… Jesus didn't speak explicitly about national identity in the way we might understand it today, as the concept of nation-states wasn't prevalent in his time as it is in modern times. However, Jesus did emphasize principles that can inform how Christians view their identity and relationships within broader contexts, including national ones.
1. **Kingdom of God**: Jesus frequently spoke about the Kingdom of God, emphasizing a spiritual kingdom that transcends earthly borders and national identities. He taught his followers to prioritize allegiance to God's kingdom above all else.
- Matthew 6:33: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
- Luke 17:20-21: "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."
2. **Love and Compassion**: Jesus emphasized love and compassion for all people, regardless of nationality or ethnicity. His teachings, such as the parable of the Good Samaritan, illustrate the importance of loving our neighbors, even those from different backgrounds.
Matthew 22:37-39: 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"
- Luke 10:33-37: The Parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates the principle of loving one's neighbor, even someone from a different ethnic or national background. (When Jesus spoke about the Samaritan, it was an individual, not a state run program, not done via any form of coercion.)
3. **Servanthood**: Jesus taught his disciples about servant leadership and humility. Rather than seeking power or dominance, Christians are called to serve others, including those from different nations and cultures.
- Matthew 20:26-28: "Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
- Mark 10:45: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
4. **Unity in Diversity**: Jesus prayed for unity among his followers, recognizing that they would come from diverse backgrounds. He prayed "that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you" (John 17:21), emphasizing unity among believers regardless of nationality.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia and Colossae, all of which are in modern Turkey, telling each that there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but that they (we) are all one Christ Jesus.
Should that not be the rallying cry of the body of believers in the United States? That we, Christians, followers of Jesus, are part of a new nation, and because of that, we operate differently?
No, I am not suggesting that we build a commune, though, in all sincerity, it would be awesome if 20 to 25% of the families in our neighborhood were believers who were part of the same congregation.
Is this not the way it ought to be, to be in the world as salt, enough to change the flavor of things without becoming the thing we are changing?
For most of my adult life if you asked me if I was a Christian or American first, I would have said “Christian” identifying as a follower of Jesus and felt that it did indeed shape my view of politics and life in general. Though, in retrospect that was inaccurate. After many years, likely a decade plus, of hearing good teaching from my pastors, listening to others, even a talk show host who did not have the goal of evangelizing his political views, pointing out the inconsistencies in what I believed was my identity and what I wanted our politicians to do, laws I wanted enforced, or laws I wanted to see passed, did I realize I was off track, I had missed the mark. Consider what missing the mark means.
My citizenship is shared by all believers regardless of where they were first born. Because that citizenship comes with certain rights and duties, as they all do, I am held to a higher standard than the one I was born into. It’s great to have dual citizenship because the first informs the second.
We must reconsider everything when it comes to our responsibilities as citizens of this great nation and especially how we apply that to politics, using the definition shared earlier of where ethics meets public policy.
Thankfully, our second citizenship allows us to influence laws through discussion and, when necessary, voting, but have we been doing so as a follower of Jesus or as a Democrat Christian, Republican Christian, Patriot Christian, or even the very rare Libertarian Christian?
We read Scripture and talk to God regularly (or at least we strive to). During your devotional time this political season, ask God to examine your thoughts and actions and help you understand whether your actions align with being a follower of Jesus or with a particular political party tied to your earthly citizenship.
#JustThinkAboutIt. Just pray about it.
