What is a Christian's duty toward their earthly nation or their native land?
We have home countries and native lands that we love, and many of us have lived in other nations for many years and have developed love for them as well. Yet we are called "aliens and strangers on earth" and we are "looking for a country of our own," and are "longing for a better country – a heavenly one" (Hebrews 11:13-16).
The good news is that we are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20), and Christ has gone before us and prepared us a home there (John 14:1-3). Yet we live on this earth and have nations and national leaders that we are to respect (Romans 13:1-5) and pray for (1 Timothy 2:1-4). And we have home nations that we are to love as well, and to seek their spiritual progress.
Through the prophet Jeremiah, God told the exiles in Babylon that they were to "seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper" (Jeremiah 29:7). So our home nation, and – for expats – our host nation, should be important to us. We should seek to give a witness and to serve the benefit of the city and nation to which we are raised or to where we are sent.
Today we are examining a well-known scripture about how we can bless our nations, whether home or host:
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14) Questions for Discussion: Here are some discussion questions you and your family can use:
What is the connection between 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Leviticus 26? What does it mean to be called by the name of God? Which is more important, to humble ourselves or to pray? Why do you think people blame other people for the problems in their nations? What is the benefit of taking responsibility for ourselves and for our attitudes and our actions? What does it mean for God to heal a land? Blessings, Pastor David
