Caring about Your Country

Should Christians care about their country? About politics and government? When the American colonies debated these issues, Dr. Benjamin Rush influenced the outcome by advocating a Biblical worldview. Rush first gained respect for his skills in medicine, but as a passionate Christian, he felt compelled to become involved in politics.

In 1773, Rush told his fellow countrymen that patriotism was “both a moral and a religious duty.” He pointed to the example of “holy men of old” in the Bible who “were endowed with a public spirit.” Men like Joshua and Samuel were “shining examples of patriotism.” And “what did not Moses forsake and suffer for his countrymen!” Rush pointed out that Paul felt great compassion for his Jewish brethren (Romans 9:1-5), and Jesus cared deeply for Jerusalem, weeping “at the prospect of her speedy desolation.”

While Rush believed that Christians had an obligation to be involved, he urged them to remain Christ-centered: “I have alternately been called an Aristocrat and a Democrat. I am neither. I am a Christocrat.” For Christians, our “kingdom is not of this world,” for we must first seek God’s Kingdom.

As Rush reminded us, followers of Jesus must care about others—their friends and family members, their community and city, their country and lost Souls around the world. As Jesus wept for the people of Jerusalem, today we must intercede for the plight of a sin-scarred world, filled with crime, terrorism, turmoil, war, disease, and divorce.

Let God stir your heart with a burden for your country and community. Don’t be silent, but speak out for your faith. Pray. Vote. Reach out to lost and dying Souls.