"If my people..."

This election season, let’s ponder the oft-cited Bible passage, 2 Chronicles 7:14: If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. My people… their land…  How should this word to ancient Israel be applied by Christians in today’s world?

In Old Testament times God’s people lived under “theocracy”:  devotion to the Lord and allegiance to government were inseparable; there was no divide between religion and public life (“church and state”).  American Christians some­times fall into wishing for a theocracy today—that the rule of God could be “restored” in our land.  But that’s not a biblical hope.  With the coming of Christ and his Great Com­mission, God brought theocracy to an end.

God’s children today are an inter­national, inter-racial, worldwide, scattered people—called the church—that cannot be con­tained in or aligned with any one nation-state, or linked to any particular plot of land.  So an OT promise about the “land” of ancient Israel cannot be neatly transferred to our country (or any country) today.  Rather, the application of 2 Chronicles 7:14 would center on the church—that is, to that group who, today, are God’s people:  “my people.”  If we as Christians, in fellow­ships all around the world, repent and pray and humbly seek God, then he’ll forgive and renew his people—his church. And so, the text relates to the revival of the church, not the improvement of this country.

Let me offer a few church-and-government challenges:  1) Thank God for the gift of the US government—it’s not perfect, but much about it is good.  2) Submit to the law of the land (Rom 13:1-7; 1 Pet 2:12-17).  Only when “Caesar” would force you to deny Christ is it right to play the Acts 5:29 civil disobedience card: We must obey God rather than men. 3) Pray for government leaders (1 Tim 2:2)—for wisdom, humility, reverence for God, zeal for the common good, unwavering commitment to justice, and both restraint and courage in “bearing the sword.”  4) Serve your country, including through constructive criticism.  “Sub­mit” does not mean silence.  5) Watch your expectations:  the state shouldn’t be expected to promote or advance the church (or vice versa).  6) Model respectful inter­action with those you disagree with (e.g., other party, other positions). Let it be obvious that “the Christians” don’t use the world’s weapons of twist­ing facts, half truths, smearing opponents, or hitting back.  Break the rules of politics as usual.  7) Finally, give praise to Jesus as Lord of All and King of Kings.  For all your appreciation of our government and nation, let it be ever so clear to all around you that you exalt Christ as “Commander-in-Chief”!