Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. – Romans 10:1
We have just experienced what many are calling one of the greatest political comebacks in history with the reelection of President Donald J. Trump. It’s also a reprieve from the Lord to counter the direction our nation has been traveling in of late. I was moved to tears when my daughter-in-law sent me a phone video of a group of Trump supporters, after President Trump’s acceptance speech, spontaneously breaking out in worship with How Great Thou Art.[1] I’m not one to cry much, but I got a lump in my throat and had to fight back sobs of joy when I saw that worship. I actually went into my backyard to thank God and gather myself. Thank You Lord for that victory! Your So good.
Could God be using a political movement to usher in a more eternally significant revival? Whether this political victory will lead to a deeper more eternally significant spiritual revival will only be determined with time. I hope and pray it does. But such a question directs us to consider our calling and purpose, as well as our priorities as Christians. Christians who have chosen to adopt a distant disengaged isolationist stance toward politics and culture are going to miss out on a great opportunity from the Lord. Jesus calls us to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). Salt is a purifier, a preservative, and a flavor enhancer. If ever there was a nation and society that needs purifying, the United States of America is it. If ever there was a nation, so connected to Christianity and the gospel, that needed to have the foundational values which are saturated with Biblical values, preserved, it is America. And if ever there was a nation that needed to have a change in its societal taste, the United Stated of America does. Christian, we are called by Jesus and tailor made for such a task.
Jesus tells us the second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31). According to Jesus this commandment is right up there with loving our father and mother (Matthew 19:19). But Jesus went beyond the Levitical exhortation (Leviticus 19:18), to state that we should even love our enemies (Matthew 5:43). So let me ask you something. This command to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, does it include seeing to our neighbor’s safety and security, assuring the opportunity for them to provide for their family, their freedom of speech, right to defend themselves, their life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness? The Apostle of love, John, once wrote, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:16-17). Jesus laid down His life FOR THE WORLD, should we do anything less. God’s plan is that we be like Him (Romans 8:29). We’re to “walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6). The Apostle Peter said we’re to “follow His steps (1 Peter 2:21). Jesus said those who follow Him must deny themselves, pick up their cross, and follow Him (Luke 9:23-26). Are we truly denying ourselves? Do we even know what our “cross,” our mission is? Are we following Jesus the way we should? Or are we disengaged because we don’t care about “worldly things”? Are we aloof to the plight of this world and its people because it is easier, more comfortable, and less trouble for us to get involved? If so, we need to check our motives and think about our calling.
Our neighbor is not only our “brethren” but the unsaved person who lives next door. If political involvement is a Heaven-sent means to supplying these things to our neighbor, shouldn’t we be involved in this part of our existence here on earth? Shouldn’t we be involved “for such a time as this”? (Esther 4;14). Shouldn’t we have a sense of destiny and purpose? Why are we here, in this place, now?
Paul’s letter to the church in Rome provides the most detailed description of the gospel. It’s a wonderful book that has been used by God historically to bring revivals. The first eight chapters of Romans show us our guilt and need of salvation because we all fall short of God’s requirements to spend eternity with Him (Romans 1-3). By His grace God provides the redemptive means to be forgiven, justified just as if we’d never sinned. God provides this for us by the work of Jesus (Romans 3-5). It’s His free gift to us, undeserving us, to be received by faith. Then Paul describes the new life of victory over sin in Romans 6-7 and the vitality and wonderful provisions of life in the Spirit in Romans 8. All of this by God’s grace through faith in Jesus. It’s a wonderful, wonderful message. It truly is the greatest of “good news,” which is what the word “gospel” means. But then Paul flips the script a bit in Romans 9
In Romans 9, 10, and eleven Paul turns to “my countrymen . . . who are Israelites” (Romans 9:3 and 4). The Church newly formed through the gospel of Jesus Christ must have wondered, “What happens to Israel and our brethren now?” Does the “Church” make Israel obsolete? Does the “Church” replace Israel? We are living in the Church Age, but God is not finished with Israel. Just read Romans 11.
Such questions by the early church were precipitated by the fact that, for the most part, Jews and the nation of Israel refused to receive Jesus as their Messiah Savior. They were expecting a more political Messiah who would free them from their oppression under the Romans and establish a kingdom like the Son of David messianic title predicted. Even the first disciples were wondering about this (cf. Acts 1:6-7). But at that time Jesus said the more important issue was being empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses for Him and spread the gospel (Acts 1:8).
The Kingdom of God will be established by Jesus on earth at His Second Coming. We will rule and reign with Him (e.g., Revelation 20:4-6). Until then we are to prioritize the Great Commission of spreading the gospel and making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE ARE TO BE POLITICALLY UNINVOLVED! Notice in the Great Commission Jesus speaks of making disciples “of all nations.” When you think about it that’s a pretty political statement.
God has ordained government as an instrument to “minister” or promote good and maintain peace and order. Such an environment is conducive to sharing the gospel. Therefore, we are to submit to government because it is ordained by God (Romans 13:4). It’s interesting that the government of the United States of America has similarities to the government or Rome which ruled in New Testament times. Rome had an aristocracy and elite class and a system of voting. America is a Federal Republic that includes voting. In America though we have three branches of government, Executive, Judicial, and Legislative that serve the people. Rather than a king or Caesar, the people are the rulers of the nation. Those elected are, at least in theory, supposed to serve the constituency which elected them. For America’s government ot work, people must be involved. When people disengage, it opens the door for career politicians to abuse their offices in self-serving corrupt ways that are not in the best interests of citizens. Christian, if you are a citizen of the United States of America, you should be involved.
Nowhere does scripture tell us to live isolated lives. Isolation leads to desolation. When we refuse to engage and love those around us, we rob them of an opportunity to hear the gospel and be saved. The one who lives in isolation from the people of this world is assuring the destiny of unbelievers will be one of desolation. We are called to be God’s ambassadors, His representatives, imploring the lost to “be reconciled to God” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). The isolationist can’t do that. An “ambassador” by its very title suggests involvement, mediation, interacting in the system to spread the gospel.
Making a distinction between involvement and not loving the world. But aren’t we to not love the things of the world? The Bible says “Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17). If this is your basis for disengaging from the world, you have misinterpreted the scripture. Let’s look a bit deeper.
To “not love the world or the things of the world” doesn’t mean to remove and isolate yourself from interacting in the world. If that’s what it meant we would all become Amish and live in isolated communities. Jesus didn’t do that, and neither should we. Jesus in fact prayed, “I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15). Like Jesus we live in and minister to the occupants of this lost world. But while ministering, we do not allow ourselves to fall in love with the things of this world. Jesus said of His disciples that they, “are not of the world, just as I am not of the world’ (John 17:16). Like Jesus, we never lose or allow ourselves to be distracted from what is truly the most important thing, eternity. We live in and work in this world even using the things of this world but using them for eternal purposes.
It’s interesting that even the Amish recognized the importance of the election this year and turned out to vote in record numbers. [2] The things of this world are only a temporal means to eternal ends. We are involved in various activities like sports and clubs, jobs, and other associations, even politics, as a means to an eternal end. The associations we have with unbelievers in such activities provide us an opportunity to share the gospel them.
What about separation of church and state? Some resist sharing their faith under the false premise that the constitution says there must be a separation of Church and State. Did you know that the Constitution does not include the phrase “separation of church and state,” but that the phrase comes form a letter penned by Thomas Jefferson to defend the Church from the State? It’s true. Under our First Amendment we in America are free to share and introduce our faith and the gospel wherever we go. Don’t be deceived into silence any longer. In the power of the Holy Spirit, stand up for Jesus and the gospel everywhere you go.
Sanctified and separated, not isolated. We are sanctified or separated unto God for His use while walking through and living in this lost world. We are sanctified by the word of truth (John 17:17). That’s what Jesus prayed for us. To be sanctified means we are to be uncommon, not common or like everyone else living in this world. The word of God and its truth is what should set us apart from everyone else in this world. The reason Jesus didn’t pray for us to be removed from this world is that He wanted us to be like Him, a shinning light, a Messenger of truth like He was and is in this lost world (cf. John 18:37). To be a “Christian” means literally to be little Christs. We are to walk among the people of this world and shine God’s light on them in hopes that they would be saved. In this sense we are to be a friend of sinners like Jesus was (e.g., Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:34).
Your greatest patriotic duty. While voting, being involved as a poll watcher, or even directly involved with helping politicians or being a politician, are all important things, they are not the most important things. It’s important to be a husband, wife, father, mother, grandparent, neighbor, peace officer of some kind, serve in the military, work in the medical field, be a teacher, work a job that supports others. It’s important to be a president, cabinet officer, senator, member of congress, judge, federal, state, or local official in some capacity. We serve others and perform civic duty in all of these positions in life. These are all important and you can list many other stations in life as well, but the greatest duty is to share the gospel with the lost.
In Romans 9-11 Paul explains to the church that, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved” (Romans 10:1). In Romans 9 Paul states, “I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites” (Romans 9:1-4a). Paul refers to his “countrymen” and those who are a part of the nation of Israel. He has a deep heartfelt desire and passion that his fellow countrymen would be saved. I must ask, do we have the same heartfelt desire and passion that our fellow patriots and citizens would be saved? Have we settled for victories in swing states, winning the House and Senate and Presidency, but what good is all of that in eternity? Have we lost perspective? What is really the most important thing? What is our greatest duty?
Our greatest duty to our fellow patriots and all people is not merely to work to ensure that the best candidate is elected. That is important. But even if all goes well and America is made “Great Again,” what will it truly matter if we or our compatriots die in their sins and spend eternity excluded from the Heaven? Our greatest citizenship is in Heaven. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which he is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:20-21). Our greatest patriotic duty is to do everything we can to assure as many patriots as possible and people receive their heavenly citizenship. That is our greatest patriotic duty. In the power of the Holy Spirit we will perform our duty effectively to God’s glory.
How can we receive our heavenly citizenship? The gospel (i.e., good news) we share with the lost and that the lost need to receive by faith to secure eternal life can be summarized as follows:
- The gospel is powerful and can save whoever trusts in Jesus as Savior by faith – Romans 1:16-17. The gospel of Jesus Christ changes people’s lives. It can change communists, socialists, rebels and revolutionaries, leftists and rightists, democrats, republicans and even independents! The gospel can change people in drastic ways, like a caterpillar to a butterfly. With the gospel there is always hope.
- All humanity is sinful and falls short of God’s requirements to enter heaven. All humanity is under God’s just wrath for their sinfulness – Romans 1:18-3:20. Everyone who has yet to receive Jesus as Savior is under the sway of the evil one (1 John 5:19). On our own, all humanity, regardless of party or worldview, are doomed to deception and destruction.
- We don’t earn our heavenly citizenship or salvation from our sins and eternal life by working for it. We receive our heavenly citizenship, salvation from sins, and eternal life by trusting in Jesus’s redemptive work on the cross for us – Romans 3:21 – Romans 6:23. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). God loves us lost wayward rebellious sinners so much, He sent His only Son Jesus to die for us to save us (Romans 5:8). That is true love.
- Jesus delivers us from the futility of trying to work our way to heaven – Romans 7. Even as Christians we sometimes try to live in our own strength and own understanding. That is a wretched way to live. Our only hope is in Jesus and His grace.
- When we trust Jesus as our Savior we are “justified,’ or legally God sees us just-as-if-we-had-never-sinned. There’s no more condemnation for those who are in such a faith relationship with Jesus (Romans 8:1). When put our faith in Jesus we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit and given spiritual life. With the Holy Spirit within us we are empowered to live lives pleasing to God as His ambassadors in this world – Romans 8. If God is for us, it really doesn’t matter who is against us because in Him we are more than conquerors!
In Romans 10 Paul describes what he hoped his compatriots and fellow Israelites would do, and what all sinners must do to become citizens of heaven:
Romans 10:8–13 (NKJV) – 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
The “word” of this gospel is right there for us to receive when it is shared with us. It is provided by God’s grace through the Holy Spirit (e.g., John 16:8-11). Our response is to believe in our heart that Jesus has been raised from the dead. The resurrection is God’s imprimatur on the atoning redemptive sacrifice Jesus provided on the cross. We owed a debt of sin we could not pay. That debt was death because of our sins. Jesus paid a debt He did not owe, death. That He defeated death is seen in His resurrection. The resurrection is God’s stamp of approval as Judge over all that the payment of His Son Jesus is good, acceptable, and applied to all those who would believe in Jesus.
All of this takes place in the heart; our innermost being. The righteousness of Jesus is put to the account for all, “whoever” believes in Him. There’s “no distinction.” God makes this good news available to whoever would call on the name of the Lord to be saved from their sins. Have you trusted in Jesus as your Savior? Have you put your faith in Him? Are you sharing Jesus with those around you so they can do the same?
All of this is a gift of God’s grace. It’s not something we work to receive. It’s something God in Jesus has done for us, and we need only receive it by faith. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2). When I watched and heard those people spontaneously singing How Great Thou Art, I didn’t get choked up merely because the election had gone the way I hoped it would, it was because in their rejoicing and thanking God I saw a glimmer of hope of what might be, a revival and salvation of a nation. Do you have a heart for the revival of our nation? Do you get choked up when you think of what God might do to save our nation and the lost therein?
It’s a beautiful calling. Paul goes on to quote Isaiah 52:7 saying:
Romans 10:14–17 (NKJV) – 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
It’s a beautiful thing, a blessing from God, one of His greatest blessings and privileges, to be used by Him to reach someone who is lost in their sins. Do you remember that person or persons who God used to lead you to salvation in Christ? I’m thankful to this day for my sister’s faithful witness and the witness sof others used by God to lead me to Jesus. Wouldn’t you like to be seen in that way too? Wouldn’t you like to have the beautiful feet as the one God uses to bring someone to heavenly citizenship and eternal life? That should be our joy and ambition in life. Our job is simply to voice the gospel, share it, let people know about it. And hopefully there will be many new Heavenly citizens, true eternal patriots created.
Sharing this with others is our greatest patriotic duty. The election victory was awesome and wonderful, but its nothing compared to the eternal salvation of a Heavenly citizen. It comes down to your vote. Do you vote for Jesus? Do you put your faith in Him, trust Him with your life? Jesus has an unending term and is King of kings and Lord of lords. He offers us the truly greatest citizenship and eternal life. And He offers it all for free, by His grace through faith in Him. Let’s make America truly great by praying and ministering to make it godly.
In President Trump’s acceptance speech he said, “We’re going to make our country better than it ever has been. And I said that many people have told me that God spared my life for a reason. And that reason was to save our country and to restore America to greatness. And now we are going to fulfil that mission.” [3] Let’s hope America is made great again. But let’s hope and pray that greatness includes more heartfelt worship from hearts that have been turned to God. Let’s pray for our President and all our elected officials. Let’s pray they all come to salvation, and/or grow in their faith. Let’s pray our country and government stands boldly and blessedly for Jesus. Let’s pray God uses America to reach the lost world. The greatness of America will be determined by her closeness to God.
Our greatest duty as Americans, as citizens of Heaven, is to share the gospel with the lost and do everything we can to make sure people are genuinely saved and secure in their faith. That is our greatest patriotic duty. That should be the objective in whatever position God has placed us in this life. In all situations and circumstances, pray “God help us. Please bring revival to our nation.” Then we will be truly great. In Jesus’ name, to the glory of God. Amen.
[1] You can watch the short video here – How Great Thou Art After Trump Victory Speech At Mar-a-Lago!
[2] https://nypost.com/2024/11/05/us-news/amish-turn-out-for-pennsylvania-vote-in-unprecedented-numbers-source/
[3] https://www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-donald-trumps-victory-acceptance-speech/