By Rev Dick
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…(Philippians 3: 20)
About this time of year we celebrate the birth of our nation. July 4 is the day we remember, with fireworks, parades, cookouts, and the like, our liberation from England and the declaration of our independence.
Almost since the origin of our country and the adoption of our unique government and Constitution many Americans have prided themselves as well, on what is called “American exceptionalism.” This “American Exceptionalism” is the idea that America’s history, her wealth, her ideology, and her government make her different than, even superior to, any other country in the world.
To be sure, America is an “exceptional” nation. In his nineteenth century two volume work American Democracy French political scientist, diplomat, historian, and author Alexis de Tocqueville spoke of America’s government, social conditions, and wealth as “exceptional.” This is considered by some to be the origin of the term “American exceptionalism.” Others think that the exceptionalism of America is due to the country’s never having had ingrained in its society the feudalism and class distinction of European nations; hence the social mobility and independence of its citizenry have been considered America’s great distinction and virtue. Others think American exceptionalism is her Judeo-Christian heritage and values. These especially regard American exceptionalism as a great blessing from God obliging us to promote not only the gospel but also the democratic and cultural values of America throughout the world.
The Apostle Paul would have had none of this American exceptionalism. Not that he would have been “against” the Constitution. Not that he himself would not have been thankful, as we Americans must be, for the religious, economic, and political liberties we enjoy as American citizens. Not that at all!
Only Paul was too consumed by the exceptional Jesus and the exceptional gospel to be overly concerned about the politics and culture of either his nation or of any other. He was too busy preaching and teaching, like his master Jesus, the things of the kingdom of heaven. He who gloried in the cross and the establishment of the holy church nation through the atonement of Christ ( I Peter 2: 9; Gal 6:14) would have made sure not to compare the blood-shedding of American revolutionaries with that of the Savior Jesus. He who was commissioned, along with the other apostles and with the entire church of the new dispensation to disciple the nations through preaching and teaching and the conversion of God’s elect would never have fallen for the strange notion among many evangelicals today that the church, especially the American church, is called by God to disciple and baptize folks into the name of Father, Son, Holy Ghost, and George Washington.
Our citizenship is in heaven. Our blessedness as believers in Christ is the blessedness of spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Our calling is Christ’s great commission, the calling to disciple nations, to preach and teach the gospel in order to save God’s elect and teach them of the great things of heaven above where Christ sits at the right hand of God and from whence he is coming, and for which we eagerly wait.
Exceptional. The Son of God. His gospel. His grace. Our blessedness. Our calling.
Take no exception to that, though many do. Be not offended at that, though many are. Glory in the God of our salvation revealed in Jesus Christ. Glory alone in him, God with us forevermore.
Be the real city on a hill, and that is not Boston, but the Church, the light of the world. The one holy nation under God and for God.
Be true believers: salt, and light, minding not earthly things, however good or exceptional, but seeking the things above.
Pilgrims and strangers on earth, seek a city and a country which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Where your citizenship is.
Heaven.
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