#186 Need to Be Better

Last week at the Republican National Convention, Vice President Mike Pence said, "So let’s run the race marked out for us. Let’s fix our eyes on Old Glory and all she represents. Let’s fix our eyes on this land of heroes and let their courage inspire. And let’s fix our eyes on the author and perfecter of our faith and our freedom and never forget that where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (For the sake of reference, Hebrews 12:1-2 reads, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." And 2 Corinthians 3:17 says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.")

Let me be absolutely clear: what Vice Pres. Pence did is wrong. It is not okay by any means. He has taken language about Jesus and applied it to the United States. Jesus deserves our ultimate allegiance. Jesus deserves all honor and glory. Jesus determines and models the values we should live by. The United States and its flag do not. To even imply that the United States shares these traits that only belong to our God is blasphemy. To think that the United States embodies the highest ideals for humanity and that true blessings and freedom follow from trusting and serving the nation is idolatry. America is a false god. Jesus Christ bought our salvation through His suffering and death on the cross and His resurrection, and so His Spirit brings His people freedom from sin and death, breaking the power the devil and evil hold over us who believe in Him. Political freedoms are definitely good, but comparing them with our freedom in Christ is laughable at best. From the Bible's perspective, every American who does not believe in Christian does not have freedom, no matter how many civil liberties she or he may enjoy.

Now I've picked on Vice Pres. Pence because he recently and very publicly sinned in this way. I'm not saying that Vice Pres. Pence is the worst politician ever or that no one else ever wrongly speaks about God and the United States. Nor am I saying that what Vice Pres. Pence has done is unforgivable. But we as Christians cannot support this. Vice Pres. Pence is very public about his faith in Jesus. He should know better. We as American Christians should not tolerate blasphemy and idolatry from our politicians. Americans are not the people of God. The United States is not God's kingdom. God's people are Christians throughout the world, the church in all places (and times). God's kingdom covers the whole world. There are a lot of good things about the United States, but it, like every other nation on earth, is twisted and broken by sin. We need to acknowledge the wrongdoing and evil that are present in the United States and that have been here throughout American history. The United States cannot save us. Only Jesus can. The United States cannot bring true freedom. Only Jesus can. Glory to God alone.

Grace and peace,

BMH