An Open Letter from American Christians to Their Government

NOTE: We do not talk about politics on this site. Our goal is not to represent a political party, and the focus of our blog is not to be political in any way. However, part of being a Christian is living within society, and Christians do have a responsibility to their government. With that in mind, the following “open letter” is published.

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To Whom It May Concern:

“Government” is such a hard word to swallow. It is such a vague term, and at times, you seem like more of a building or document than an organization made up of real people. If we have treated you that way, we are sorry. Each time we see pictures of you or hear you speak, we are reminded that you are people with emotions, stresses, and needs just like us.

Next week, our nation will remember her independence from England. July 4 is special, and it affords us an opportunity to remember the work that you do in securing “the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” For your service, we are grateful. We pray that you get to enjoy this holiday as well, despite many world issues raging about which we know you are concerned.

For some time, there seems to have been some divide between the government and the citizens, but that divide seems to be stronger between the government and Christians. Whether this is just perceived or real, we cannot fully tell, but we are writing to help it come to an end. We want to be on the same side, fighting for freedom and enjoying the rewards of such.

Of course, we must think about how we feel that many times the government has taken every side except that of Christians. It causes us more than a little concern that the only thing that is considered “intolerant” in our land is the faith of the Bible. Meanwhile, our freedoms are being taken away at an alarming rate, all in the name of “equality.” The question we have is very simple, “When does extinction equal equality?” In other words, when will Christians have a government that stands up for them?

That being said, we believe that our real citizenship is in heaven, so this letter is not written to complain about every issue. Instead, it is written to apologize for our mistakes. While we desire that the Christian worldview of the Founding Fathers be upheld by the same government, real Christians know that only God rules in the affairs of men, and that He is in charge of it all. It is in Him we trust, as our money still asserts. Our nation should be under Him, as we proudly proclaim in the Pledge of Allegiance.

So, we Christians apologize to you. First, we apologize for criticizing you for certain issues, based solely upon feelings. If we are going to make decisions in our nation based upon what “I feel” versus what “you feel,” then who is to say what is right or wrong? We wish to make the pledge that we will do better in researching issues, and finding the Biblical truth on matters. Since God’s Word is truth (see John 17:17), we will be more diligent in our study of Scripture as our basis in either commending your votes, or giving negative criticism.

Second, we apologize for spreading “news” that is simply not true, or is not wholly true. Some have used emails (especially forwarded emails), and other very quick means of communication, to pass along stories about some of you that are simply not true. This is not becoming of what a Christian should be, because we are to seek the truth. Further, we are to seek the best in people, so it is our duty to make sure that what we say, either through our speech or through any other communication, is wholly honest. While we will disagree with some of your policies, we will not use lies to make things worse.

Third, we apologize for compartmentalizing our politics and our faith. In other words, we have often been very un-Christian in how we speak about you, though you deserve our respect. Our own Bible tells us to “honor the king” (government; 1 Peter 2:17). Even more basic than that, though, is the famous teaching of our Savior: “Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). This “Golden Rule” has too often been forgotten when we deal in the political realm. We will learn to disagree without being disagreeable, and we will learn to agree without being haughty.

Finally, we apologize for criticizing from afar and not getting involved. Most of us have no idea what types of pressures and stresses you face on a consistent basis. While we would like to think that being in government is easy, we really know it is not. Let us help you. We will do better about voicing not our opinion, but the Biblical truth on matters we are concerned about. We will do better about trying to send letters, filled not with vitriol, but with love of the truth. We will do better about possibly even running for office ourselves, if we feel that passionately about an issue in our own region. We will vote at each election, and will do so with Bible-based information as our guide, not just a party affiliation.

So, government, we apologize, and we pray for you. We pray that God will bless you with wisdom, conviction, patience, and a love of His truth. We pray that you will forgive us and accept our apology. We pray that God will help us not see this as an “us vs. them” relationship, but that He will help us all work together to once again make this “one nation under God.”

May God bless you, and may He bless our great nation.

In Him,

American Christians