Whose Side is God On? – by Greg Albrecht

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Have you ever noticed how many individual Christians and incorporated religious institutions assume that God is exclusively on their side? Many seem to think that God is a member-in-good-standing of their denomination. Many seem to assume that God carries the same national passport they do and that he always supports their country in any military altercation. Some even act and talk as if God supports their favorite athletic team and their particular political party.

But if you think about the whole idea of God being polarized and politicized for about three seconds, it really doesn’t make any sense, does it? After all the Bible clearly teaches that God loves all mankind equally.

If you are an American, I presume you know that the words “God bless America” are not in the Bible. If you are a citizen of another country you probably understand that “God bless Canada” or “God bless England or Nigeria or Germany or Afghanistan or India or China or Indonesia” does not appear in the Bible either.

I love my country. I tear up when I hear the stories of those who have sacrificed for the freedoms we Americans enjoy. I sing the Star Spangled Banner and recite the Pledge of Allegiance with respect. I am thankful I have been given the opportunity to live in the United States. For that matter, I recognize and give thanks for the blessings of friends and family, and spiritual brothers and sisters who experience life within any democracy, in a country where freedom of thought, assembly and worship is given. And there are many such places in our world today. My wife and I lived in the United Kingdom for a number of years, and enjoyed the blessings of life in such an environment.

When all is said and done, when we read history carefully, we find out that warfare is a dirty and corrupt business, and that there have been few times when one side is absolutely clean and righteous in their motivation for fighting and in the way they have prosecuted and carried out warfare. There are times in any country when a day of celebration focuses on remembering those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice as they served in the armed forces. During such times, and during other annual national celebrations, many focus on the country and its values, extolling the nation as exceptional and superior to other nations. While we should honor those who have sacrificed and served, and while we should appreciate the freedoms our country affords, it is important for Christians to maintain their focus on Jesus Christ, rather than falling into the ditch of nationalism.


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