Bible Study With the Cincotti's "NOT a Christian Nation" - 03/28/2021

 Today's Bible Study, Authored by Arthur Cincotti. 03/28/2021

Listen to our discussion at: Today's Bible Study Discussion Podcast

NOT a Christian Nation

 

Last week we discussed the heresy (I’m using the word carefully) of “sentimental Christianity”.

 

Heresy: belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially      Christian) doctrine.

 

We observed that within the Christian Faith, there are differing opinions as to what practices and beliefs are considered orthodox. Wherever there is stark contrast, it’s obvious that both opinions can’t be right.

 

NOTE: It’s not for us to say what creative beliefs will keep someone out of heaven. We believe that, “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13

And, “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe         in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you                will   be saved.” Rom. 10:9

And also, “this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only      true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” Jn. 17:3

 

Many heretical beliefs, however, do keep people from being effective for the kingdom, from fulfilling God’s plan for their life, they cause division, and also, tragically, lead others astray.

 

This morning we are looking at the false belief of a Christian nation.

 

There is no such thing as a Christian nation

 

Christianity is not nationalistic.

 

In stark contrast, Islam is extremely nationalistic.

Hindu is likewise making strides toward this end in India.

Shortly after feeding the five thousand, Jn. 6:15 records, “Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself.”

 

Jn. 18:36, Jesus says to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world.”

 

It should be evident from church history that whenever the church came close to establishing a Christian nation, it brought trouble.

 

Our true (orthodox) status is as ambassadors of the kingdom of God.

         II Cor. 5:20, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God wee pleading through us…”

 

Ambassador: an accredited diplomate sent be a country as its                           official representative to a foreign country.

 

Read Jn. 17:6-19.

         We are in this world but not of this world.

 

In essence it is as if we were a nation within a nation.

         A sub-culture.

We ascribe to an ideology that commands us to, “Render to Cesar the things that are Cesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s”                                                                                               Mk.12:17 

And, “We ought to obey God rather than men,” Acts. 5:29

 

We shouldn’t be upset when people say that the United States is no longer a Christian nation, because it never was, but we should gently correct them in this.

 

Christianity knows no man made boarders

Finally, Rev. 5:9 says, “(You) have redeemed us to God by Your blood

Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation…”