CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP
A Sacred Trust
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. Romans 13:1-2 (NASB)
Our citizens pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. The phrase “one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all” is an idea that has given birth to the greatest nation on the face of the earth. However, it is not just a phrase. It is the cornerstone upon which our nations is built. Liberty and justice are rights for which the vast majority of people around the world long and we have inherited them. However, like so many, inheritance is usually taken for granted.
The founding fathers of this great land new the price for freedom was extremely high. So many willingly gave their life for a cause that no one up until that time had ever experienced. They believed God, the Creator of all that is, endowed every person with inalienable rights. This was their sacred trust!
Our first president George Washington, appealed to God while he was in office praying (I wonder what he would think today knowing praying in government facilities is forbidden?):
“Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United states at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
James Madison, the primary author of the Constitution of the United States, said this: ’”We have staked the whole future of our new nation NOT upon the power of government; far from it. We have staked the future of all our political constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves to govern ourselves according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments.”’
Our sacred trust is that we have been given for what so many long: the opportunity to rule ourselves! However, our liberties and our expectation for justice will not last unless we realize that this form of government was created and will work only when we recognize the God from whom these blessing flow. We must, as its citizens, pick up the mantle of responsibility with sound moral judgment and engage our world.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord,
Forgive me for taking for granted these most precious gifts. Help me to engage my culture by participating in electing the people who will govern us. Give me the discernment to elect morally upright people that fear You. And please bless the USA. In Jesus Name, Amen.