As Christians, we enjoy a wonderfully unique dual citizenship. We have been born into the Kingdom of God by faith in Christ, and therefore, our focus is on both here and the hereafter. We are not only citizens of this world but of the next … we are citizens of Heaven.

But while here on earth, we also have a national citizenship. I love how the great American Daniel Webster put it: “Whatever it is that makes men good Christians, makes them good citizens.”

As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, every American and every believer should take to heart this powerful milestone moment and truly live out our ordained responsibility to be good citizens.

We should honor and celebrate our country. It is appropriate and it is Biblical. So, let’s wave the flag, sing the hymns of our nation and celebrate our freedoms and liberties that so many people take for granted these days.

It is good for Christians to be patriotic. In fact, we need much more of that in America today, especially on a milestone occasion such as this—a quarter of a millennium since our nation’s founding in 1776.

America was founded by men and women of faith—men and women of character and conviction who believed and practiced the principles of God’s Word and wrote them into the very documents that brought about the birth of our nation.

So, because we believe in our God and in our Lord Jesus Christ, we should accept seriously the responsibility in life to be good citizens of this great democratic republic.

Regardless of which political party is in power, we must intercede for our nation by praying for those in authority; we must invest in our nation by supporting the laws of the land; and we must intervene for our nation by using our influence to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel. If we don’t participate in government, if we don’t use our influence in a positive way, we are breaking the command and the clear witness of Scripture.

Because while we’re on earth, we are ambassadors for Jesus Christ, our King.

We fight for our King. We focus on our King. We follow our King. And we know that our faith must be in our King. Our future is with our King. Our cause is our King and His Kingdom. And we will not fail because our King is coming again! This time He is coming not as the lamb, but as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah; not as the One who was crucified, but as the One who is now crowned.

Fulfilling the Great Commission of sharing the Gospel and making disciples is more critical than ever for every church. We must “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord [our] labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). And we must stand firm in our faith—stand strong for our Savior and King—in a continually decaying culture.

Make no mistake about it; there is a truth war right now in our culture. Truth—God’s truth—is under attack. Nothing in all the world is more important or more valuable than the truth of Jesus Christ. Solomon’s wise advice in Proverbs 23:23 has never been timelier: “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”

This spiritual war between truth and lies is being waged in the hearts and minds of people, particularly in the church. Too many Christians are being shaped by the culture rather than being shaped by the Savior and the Scripture. They are compromised when it comes to the core teaching of the Christian faith.

Too many churches are throwing in the towel when it comes to the culture wars and social issues. Too many pastors are compromising their calling in the pulpit, watering down their messages from the infallible Word of God for fear of offending. There are two problems with that. Number one, people are offended too easily these days; and number two, the Bible is offensive because it speaks absolute truth for all generations.

Truly, there is not much wrong in our country that cannot be made right if the spiritual leadership in God’s churches would rise to the challenges and the crises of our times. It is our responsibility as the church of the Lord Jesus Christ our King to disciple people, because if the church doesn’t disciple them, the world will … and the world is good at it.

Now, more than ever in our country, we must not relent. We must be bold and courageous and stand strong for the Lord Jesus, our King. God has called us to fight the good fight of faith—to take up the sword of the Spirit and storm the gates of hell. 

Decision Magazine, founded by Billy Graham in 1960, works through its website and monthly magazine to communicate the Gospel, as well as inform and challenge readers about key cultural and Biblical issues. Decision is also a Contributing Publisher to Harbinger’s Daily.