Recently the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, said, “People are curious, what does Mike Johnson think about any issue under the sun? … Well, go pick up a Bible off your shelf and read it. That’s my worldview.” A prominent figure in Washington unashamedly holding up Scripture as the exclusive guide for life is a welcome breath of fresh air for those of use who are members of the Church. God instituted and has expectations for civil government (Rom. 13:1-7) and though our nation has never been a “Christian Nation” according to God’s definition, the Founding Fathers acknowledged the Creator and sought to organize the country around Christian principles.
However, recent years have seen a seismic shift away from the Biblical principles once treasured in this land. The reaction to Johnson’s statement is just the latest example. He has been derogatorily labeled a “Christian Nationalist” and as one who is “comfortable with authoritarian social control and doing away with democratic values.” Former White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki said, “It’s not just his political ideology that should scare us. Johnson is basically a Christian fundamentalist.”
In case you haven’t been paying attention, antiChristian sentiments are now mainstream. What God has to say on anything at all is less than socially kosher and His will on “social” matters like sexuality, gender, the family, and work is near anathema. Those who express Biblical ideas on such matters will be attacked with insatiable ferocity and and you and I are no exception. Though that may be difficult for us to accept, it is a fact and it should remind us of some important truths.
First, this world is not our home. We are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven merely sojourning through this world (Phil. 3:21; Heb. 11:13). Second, our country needs children of God to act as salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16). The problems in our nation are spiritual and the Church of Christ is the only institution on the planet equipped to combat such a problem (cf. 2 Cor. 10:3-5). Finally, remember what Jesus said about persecution. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad…” (Matt. 5:11-12).