Fighting Christian Nationalism

Today I want to highlight my concern about Christian nationalism, which I believe misplaces faith in the state rather than fostering a true relationship with Jesus. When we allow earthly powers to overshadow our spiritual commitments, we risk becoming double-minded, as James cautions. He reminds us of the importance of drawing near to God, not substituting our allegiance to Him with allegiance to Rome or Jerusalem in James' day. True worship involves a sincere connection with Christ, not forcing Bibles to be read in schools or giving lip service to faith at the White House. Public acts of repentance can be strong and often are the instrument God uses to lead his people. However, purity of heart and a focused faith speak through actions not words. They work under Gods will, not through political planning and targetted marketing. God’s kingdom is not of the world and works in the subtle fabric of our decisions to serve his will. Jesus says when we pray to go in our rooms and close the door. He says when we're fasting, it should be an act aimed at drawing closer to God, rather than a public display to impress others. He says to render unto Caesar, that which is Caesars and render unto God that which belongs to God - your soul, loyalty, and admiration should fall to His will, not our governments.

Throughout history, the church has faced challenges when aligning too closely with political powers. In biblical times, Israel often struggled with worshiping foreign gods alongside Yahweh, leading to spiritual compromise. Today, the issue manifests in different forms, such as Christian nationalism. The Bible calls us to remain distinct in our faith, ensuring our citizenship in heaven dictates our actions on earth, not the other way around.

True allegiance belongs to God's eternal kingdom, calling us to live out His love and truth distinct from worldly powers.

How can you ensure your allegiance to Christ remains foremost in a culture that often mixes faith with nationalism?

Spend time in prayer today asking God to reveal areas where you might have mixed your national identity with your faith, and seek His guidance on how to refocus your heart on Him.

Heavenly Father, we ask for wisdom and discernment as we navigate our roles as citizens of both Your kingdom and the nations we live in. Help us to prioritize our relationship with You above all else, resisting the temptation to conflate our faith with nationalism. May we be shining examples of Your love and truth in a world that often blurs the lines. Amen.