“…we refuse to practise cunning or to tamper with God’s Word, but by open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” – 2 Corinthians 4:2.

“For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God Who tests our hearts.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:3.

ONE OF THE facts – although not the reason – our great nations have stood through great crisis is attributed to heroic patriotism and nationalism; ultimately, God is the reason as to why nations are preserved and prosperous. While patriotic convictions have their strength and place within our society and culture, they do not advance the gospel of Jesus Christ as many are mistaken to believe; more often than not, they actually hinder. Just like a theocratic nation no longer exists (and one of the evidences of that is why we have ‘State and Church’ ruled neither by either, especially in our westernized societies), so Christians are not to confuse their nationalistic principles with proclaiming the good news of salvation through Christ. They are both entirely separate entities, likewise with oil and water. Again, we need to be reminded that Christ’s kingdom and reign is not of this world, no matter how much we may attempt to adopt and Christianize earthly principles; God’s standards are always higher and only spiritually discerned to those who are born into that realm.

America has been an exemplary nation of all that freedom embodies. Countless of lives have been willingly sacrificed to keep tyranny at bay and away from our shores, but that liberty now continues at a greater rate to diminish. Rather than struggle to keep the Great American Dream alive, we now only dream of what once was.

It is traumatizing after having been accustomed to a nation’s liberty founded by our forefathers, to witness its undermining and disregard by a defiantly corrupt administration; worse still – is that such a government is allowed to proceed and deliberately repeat mistakes that history gravely warns of. In addition to that, we should not find it surprising that certain authorities are now currently rewriting and altering significant periods of history that are predetermining and conditioning a worldwide educational curriculum.

As with Britain, some of us are aware of how America is tolerating and embracing a rapid cultural shift with a huge influx of Muslims. The concerning issue is not their emigration to this land but what they are demanding that contravenes human ethics at its highest standards. Their one aim is not ‘escaping’ to a land of freedom, but to ultimately infringe upon and supercede that freedom with a tyrannical regime known as – sharia law that confines everyone to a forced compliance or face the discipline of Islam.

However, the greatest concern in all of this in regards to those who profess faith in Christ, is how many Christians handle this cultural shift with a patriotic perspective rather than the Biblical way. I often wonder as to the real reason why some Christians go into heavily Muslim-populated areas which, as well as preaching Christ, seems to be a testing ground for exercising their rights of ‘free speech’. I take it for granted that we are all aware of numerous videos on the internet showing groups of Christians attending Islamic events and festivities, with the deliberate intention to bring a disturbance that subsequently triggers opposition. It is all ‘planned’ before hand and sufficient cameras are brought along to capture the ‘predictable’ and inevitable consequences.

This is not implicating, for one moment, that Christians are not to take the Gospel to Muslims; they are in much desperate need of it as everyone of us – “None is righteous, no, not one…All have turned aside [from God]; they together have become worthless; no one does good, not even one…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:10, 12, 23) – we are all in that same hopeless and worthless state until God looks upon us with redeeming compassion and mercy. Needless to say, we are commanded to go into the entire world and proclaim the gospel to everyone; that is everyone of the human race, tribe and tongue.

It was never heard of in the early Church to look for opposition; persecution was inevitable – it came to them, but it was never their quest to go out and seek it! Christ and making Him known to the world was their focus (not to harass and annoy), even at the expense of suffering. They understood firsthand that to be a Christian was not about ensuring their rights and freedom; they were already incomparably free in Christ than all the patriots were disposed to believe, despite the iron fist of Roman oppression. After Christ’s first advent, such tyranny continued for over three hundred years, yet it never prevented the spread of the gospel. Instead, like oxygen to fire, more people were added to the Church.

The apostle Paul and others could have gone to preach in certain areas but the Holy Spirit forbade them; they were sensitive and obedient to the Spirit’s leading. They were not led by impulse or what seemed good in their own eyes. That wisdom and discernment is lacking today, especially when information goes viral on the web which only gives Christianity an unnecessary bad name. The question is: are we to consume our time with whining and fighting in the court system, demanding our rights – or do we reckon with Biblical truth, that if we are to pursue Christ and fulfil His commission we shall be persecuted?

Yes, Paul used his Roman citizenship to evade injustice, yet not for his own gain, but ultimately for the sake and furtherance of the gospel. Paul knew that more affliction and imprisonment were awaiting him, but here is his consuming passion: “…I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:23-24).

How does that compare to our endeavours in ‘spreading’ the gospel, or would it be more applicable to say: our endeavours to ensure our freedoms? “I do not count my life dear unto myself.” As a pastor once said that the paradoxical pedigree of a Christian is one who is dead but very much alive; dead to living for themselves but alive for the very purpose of living for Christ. That is the epitome of Paul’s testimony: the world crucified to him and he unto the world (Galatians 6:14). He died for me; I’ll live for Him (2 Corinthians 5:15).

Let us not misuse the gospel for the purpose of ‘swinging’ around our patriotic beliefs, ideals or principles, but rather let us, with integrity, “…in our hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behaviour in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:15-17).

America is changing, as does every nation, but the gospel – God’s method of salvation – remains the same whereby no power can thwart what He has decreed. It is the answer to man’s deepest need and it is one soul at a time as God leads; let us be sensitive to His ways that ensures our labour will not be in vain.