Come every Fourth of July, Diane and I plant small American flags on the campus of Concordia Seminary, a conservative, Bible-believing producer of parish pastors. Our patriotic gesture, just like many you’ll engage in these next days, raises questions about church and state. Church and state had a cozy relationship through most of the 20th century but today many Christians feel at odds with the prevailing culture and various government actions. God bless whose America, theirs or ours?
Our distinction between church and state reflects the two great commandments, “Love the Lord your God…. Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37, 39) This “love” Jesus enjoins is selfless. Love “does not insist on its own way. It bears all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:7) In one profound sense, it makes no difference to a Christian where our culture goes or what our government does. Who proved to be the good neighbor in Jesus’ parable? “The one who showed mercy. And Jesus said, ‘You go, and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37) Ours is faith in the eternal that is shown in good works here-and-now (Ephesians 2:9-10) “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20)
Enjoy the holiday; we’ll be back next week.
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