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Saturday, July 04, 2009

July 4, 2009

It's July 4th, the day Americans celebrate our independence from Britain. It's a day for Americans to be proud of their heritage and grateful for their freedom. It's not a time to meditate on freedoms lost or complain about our political opponents. On this day we celebrate.

Many American Christians wonder "What is our role in terms of politics?" Some think it is their job to produce an American theocracy, to see to it that America is ruled by Christians with Christian values and Christian laws. Others would try to wave them off. "There's nothing in Scripture about taking over civil government. Why are you so keen on it?" So here's what I'd like to say to Christians on this day of celebration for our country:
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way" (1 Tim 2:1-2).
Whatever you believe in the range of Christian rule to governmental libertarianism, perhaps on this particular day we could take some time to thank God for the country we have and the blessings He has bestowed, for the freedom we enjoy to disagree with each other and to say our peace, for all that we have. Perhaps on this particular day we could lift up our supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for all people, but especially for those who are in high positions. We can muddle about down here wrestling over whether we should seize power or take a hands-off approach, but certainly we Christians should be able to agree that asking God to do what He would want to do in America would be a good thing.

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