One Nation Under God

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (1 Peter 4:12-19 ESV).

Tomorrow we will celebrate our national independence. We have been incredibly blessed as citizens of this country. For 350 years in America, the call to be a Christian has not been the call to be an alien. It has not been a call to be a sojourner or an exile or to be out of step with society. Rather, far too many of us have taken it as a call to be a respected citizen in the community. That is changing in our culture today. We are rapidly becoming a different country. We are no longer “One Nation Under God.” And we get angry, really angry if anyone treats our Christianity as though it’s not the norm. We get mad because we’ve developed a Christianity with assumptions about dominance and prosperity, about being normal and fitting in. “This is our way here. If you don’t like it, go somewhere else.” There is some truth in the assumed connection between being a Christian and being prosperous. If you live like a Christian, you very well may be more successful in life. Not getting drunk may help you keep your job. Not committing adultery may help you keep your marriage together. Not killing may keep you out of prison. Telling the truth may get you a good name. If you do what the Bible says, life sometimes goes better. The problem is that this is totally out of proportion. We have come to take all of those relatively minor spinoffs of devotion to Jesus and elevated them above the massive, real pleasures of knowing him, loving him, and dying and being with him forever. In particular, it’s out of step with the whole tenor of the New Testament. For example, it does not fit with the apostle’s charge in our reading today. We should think it not strange when insults, oppositions, and trials come upon us because of our faith in Jesus. Those things ought to be normative. Knowing that ought to motivate us with a longing not to be domesticated, comfort-seeking, entertainment-addicted, prosperity-loving, security-craving, approval-desiring Christians. We should not want to waste our lives just fitting in. Fit in with Jesus. That will bring real peace and joy.