In God We Trust – Really?

The other day, I heard a Christian radio talk show host repeat our national motto, “In God we trust.” She said it as if it was a reality, rather than a hope. With the 4th of July coming up I thought it would be profitable to explore that idea as a citizen of both the U.S. and the Kingdom of God.

I think God would be shocked to think that our nation, or even a majority of our nation, truly believes “In God We Trust” But before you begin thinking I’m some kind of closet liberal, let’s think it through. I believe most people who call themselves evangelicals don’t actually live out, “In God we trust.” And if you don’t live it, you don’t believe it. Just think of the things we personally trust in to keep us safe and secure, so we don’t have to trust completely in God to provide:

1. Our jobs

2. Medical Insurance

3. Retirement Savings

4. Life Insurance

5. Social Security

6. Disability pay

On a national level, we trust in:

1. A strong military.

2. Conservative elected representatives to protect us.

3. A conservative political agenda.

I’m fine with all of the above, but let’s be honest there’s a lot of distance between “In God we trust,” and how Christians actually live. It’s ironic that God warned Israel about trusting in anything other than him and they too never lived up to God’s ideal. To the nation of Israel or their leaders, he said;

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7

“They were helped in fighting them, and God delivered the Hagrites and all their allies into their hands, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him.” 1 Chronicles 5:20

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.” Isaiah 31:1

Here’s the point; I don’t believe America is a Christian nation. I don’t say that as a criticism, but as a statement of fact. I don’t believe it ever was, nor was it God’s intent. In the Bible the only nation God chose for his own was Israel.

It is true that America was founded by a majority of men and women who were Christians and that many of our laws are based on what we call the “judeo-Chrisitan worldview.” And I would love it if our laws and culture aligned with God’s commands. But unlike Israel, we have no assurance from God that America was “his,” as Israel was. The people of Israel were the only nation I’m aware of that God pledged himself and even then it was conditional on their obedience.

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

“’We will serve the Lord’ (all the people said). Then Joshua said, ‘You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the Lord.’ ‘Yes, we are witnesses,’ they replied.” Joshua 24:21-22

The “Church” and the kingdom of God is the only form of government to which New Testament Christians owe our highest allegiance. While we may be legal citizens of the U. S. spiritually we are aliens in the U.S., or any other country in which Christians live. “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,” Philippians 3:20

So, what is a Christian to do as a citizen of the kingdom living in this nation we call The United States?

1. Vote as Jesus’ surrogate. Cast your vote for every candidate who reflects the character and values Jesus would approve of, regardless of their party. (Why would we not want that kind of government?)
   

2. Be patriotic, but not to the detriment of the poor and the powerless. Jesus would never support policies or laws that give preference to the rich, the influential and educated. “Look out, not only for your own interests, but the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4

3. Live as Jesus’ surrogate. Followers of Jesus have three primary responsibilities on earth no matter where we live. Love God by obeying him. Care more for others than you do yourself. Introduce Jesus and his teachings to everyone. There’s a phrase that is used repeatedly in both the Old and New Testament, “that the world might know…” Every time that phrase is used there is first a call to obedience, followed by a prophecy that if God is obeyed that is the way the world will know who he is. So go before God today and ask him if there’s any way you behave that is confusing others about who God is. While our nation may not be trusting God, you and I can. And that’s all God asks