This year, the USA celebrates the founding of our nation, as starting with the signing of the Declaration Of Independence (250 years ago).
Most of those courageous signers identified themselves as being Christian. Of that number, 21 had taken classes (and some even graduated) from schools that were founded as having seminaries.
This group included some former ministers and a number of preachers kids, of whom 4 were active preachers; with one being a full time pastor.
The lives of these believers stood for freedom and not for theocracy. The state churches of Europe had already proved that national religion was ungodly.
I am reminded of this history because some think today's believers should never say anything that might be considered political.
If that perspective was one everyone should live by, we might still be citizens of the British Empire.
As former citizens of the kingdom of darkness, true believers are made eternal citizens of God’s Kingdom; in the here and now.
This wonderful change does not cancel out our temporal earthly citizenship(s).
Paul considered himself as part of the commonwealth of Israel and a member of the Tribe of Benjamin, as well as a Roman citizen; which he used to delay his judicial sentencing and to spread the gospel; which would include members of Caesar’s household.
With these things being said, I believe we all have responsibility to steward and utilize our rights as American citizens to do what we can to make a difference because we are eternal Kingdom citizens and ambassadors.
There were plenty of pre-civil war preachers who helped make a difference in their hearers’ voting decisions; which surely played a crucial part of ending terrible chattel slavery.
America’s racial problems might be worse than they are were it not for congregational leaders like Martin Luther King; whose memorial we visited in 2024.
