This article is based on Pastor Adrian Rogers' message, Bring Back the Glory.
What does it mean to be a Christian citizen?
Throughout church history, various cultures have struggled with the relationship between religion and government, between church and state.
Some nations have had a state-sponsored church, others have been headed by religious leaders who expect strict national adherence to that religion’s beliefs and practices. In some parts of our world, Christians have existed (and still do) as underground sects, as outlaws in their own lands.
In the United States of America, political polarization has brought the question of Christian citizenship to the forefront.
Some American Christians are skeptical of any form of patriotism, even going so far as to say it’s wrong to question laws or seek to influence public life. Others swing on the other end of the pendulum, expecting Christianity to be recognized as America’s national religion and legislated as such.
Pastor Adrian Rogers was firm in his teaching about four truths Christians can hold fast as they contemplate their responsibilities.
One, Christianity is not a religion; it is a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Two, God did not tell His people to stay out of public life. On the contrary, He called believers to repent and to influence their cultures, and His Word shows His people how to do just that.
Three, the Bible offers a clear blueprint outlining the responsibilities of believing citizens of any nation, including America.
And four, nations in which biblical values hold sway are blessed of God.
Religion is Man seeking after god—usually seeing god either as a cosmic concept with which people can unite or as a deity personified with human characteristics. In religion, Man acts in ways that are good or bad to please his idea of god and win prizes such as health, wealth, and eternal peace.
Christianity is God seeking after Man—redeeming Man’s sin and lostness and sacrificing Himself in order to reconcile people to Himself. In Christianity, God acts and Man receives, then responds out of love for the Savior. Earthly health and wealth are not guaranteed but eternal peace in relationship to God, and life forever with God, is settled.
Christianity is not truly a religion. It is a vital relationship with Jesus Christ. —Adrian Rogers
Growing up in any nation, including the United States of America, does not make one a Christian. Going to a church (of any denomination) does not make one a Christian. Adhering to moral values does not make one a Christian. The only way to be a Christian is to put your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, turn from (repent of) sin, and surrender your life to Jesus’ lordship—His leadership, His ways, His will.
No! Many get the idea that because a nation invites diversity in race, religion, and culture, people should remain silent about moral issues—that the government should decide right from wrong.
But there is no such thing as a morally-neutral government. And the Christian Church was never meant to be banned from public life in the United States of America.
When America’s founders called for separation between church and state, they were declaring that the government would not control the church.
It is also true, however, that in America the church should not control the state. Our government is a democracy; not a theocracy.
To say America is a Christian nation founded on biblical principles, with a strong moral foundation and a life-giving Christian heritage is true. This is a large part of what has made America a great nation.
To say that America is a Christian nation in which only Christians should be allowed to govern would be false. That would be religious nationalism.
While America’s spiritual heritage is Christian, much of Christianity in America today is nominal. Humanism is the most prevalent religion in America today, though many who adhere to its belief system do not even recognize it as a religion.
Humanism and Christianity are at complete odds.
Humanists believe Man is preeminent. Humanists trust in the potential value and goodness of human beings and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems.
Christians believe Jesus Christ is preeminent. Christians trust in God to save Man from sin (the human problem) and recognize Jesus Christ’s substitutional death and supernatural resurrection as the answer to personal reconciliation with God and with one another.
Humanism has brought moral compromise and moral decay; it has resulted in lawlessness because Man on his own is lawless.
Christianity brings repentance, a turning away from sin and depravity; it results in lawfulness and love because God is both just and loving.
God did not tell His people to stay out of public life. On the contrary, He called believers to repent and to influence their cultures, and His Word shows His people how to do just that.
A Christian is a citizen of the Kingdom of God first, and a citizen of his nation, second. What does that mean in the practical outworking of life? A Christian living in any nation on Earth has the same responsibilities to human government. According to the biblical citizenship teaching of Adrian Rogers, there are six such responsibilities:
Jesus paid His taxes; so should we.
When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you” (Matthew 17:24-27).
Here’s what Paul taught Timothy:
(Pray) for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence (1 Timothy 2:2).
It’s important to give honor when and to whom it’s due.
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. ...Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor (Romans 13:1-3a,7).
We are to obey God first, even if our government disagrees. Consider the example of Peter and John.
But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20).
Not all governments allow for the same amount of participation. In America, where citizens are free to participate, it is our Christian responsibility to do so. Our participation blesses others as well as ourselves.
And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace (Jeremiah 29:7).
This is simply the Great Commission, which Jesus commanded for “all the nations.”
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen (Matthew 28:18-20).
The Christian worldview, with its Christian morality and family values is good for any nation and for the world as a whole. Nations whose people live out God’s commands given in His revealed Word, the Bible, receive God’s protection.
...and give stability to the nation. He always protects his people and gives them wisdom and knowledge. Their greatest treasure is their reverence for the Lord. (Isaiah 33:6, GNV).
As Christians obey God individually and collectively, they bring blessing to their times and to their nations.
He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, he who despises the gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil: he will dwell on high; his place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; bread will be given him, his water will be sure (Isaiah 33:15-16).
Wherever we live, as we witness the decay of morality and the removal of God’s protection from our countries, Christians must be in prayer for revival, personal revival, revival in the Church, and national revival.
Spiritual revival is the only hope we have that God will restore America or any nation to moral greatness and moral leadership in the world today.
