Stop Clutching Donkeys and Elephants, Bow to the Lion and the Lamb.
Christ is the true Ruler of the nations and that includes us. Earthly rulers, whether they are kings, princes or elected representatives serve as God’s ministers (Rom 13:1-4). They are obligated to rule with justice and righteousness in His name (Ps. 2:10-12). Thus, no nation is “neutral.” America is just like every other nation in that, we too, are under the authority of Christ (Matt 28:18; Rev. 19:16). To the degree that America acknowledges Christ and conforms its laws and culture to His Word, it can expect covenant blessings in the form of justice, stability, peace, and prosperity. To the degree it rejects Christ and exalts human autonomy with its rejection of God’s law, it places itself under covenant curse in the form of cultural division, moral decay, and eventual collapse. Historically, America was shaped (imperfectly but genuinely) by biblical principles, and for that reason has experienced enormous covenant blessing.
America Under Judgment
Today, America is visibly forsaking God’s law in areas like abortion, sexuality, marriage, justice, and the public’s rejection of Christ’s Kingship. From a covenantal sanctions perspective, we are on a trajectory that invites judgment. The cultural chaos that we observe and the political disunity we experience is, certainly, evidence of decline. However, there are glimmers of light that suggest that things may be changing.
Glimmers of Hope
In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s political assassination, I see Christians gathering in public to lament, mourn and pray. I see a growing hunger for truth and deep longing for order, meaning, and justice. The bankruptcy of secularism is on full display. The cultural instability with its division, violence, and moral collapse is, in my opinion a sign of God’s judgment. But it is also an opportunity for repentance and gospel proclamation.
The Church has been stirred to witness even in the midst of public tragedy. We must not stop at mourning, but begin to transition into public proclamation. In our cultural moment, Christians and conservatives are finding louder voices in the public square, schools, politics, and media. These are all opportunities to proclaim Christ alone is King and that His law is the foundation for justice and flourishing.
When the Vice President of the United States declared the incarnation of Christ in front of the nation, we glimpsed what Psalm 2 and Matthew 28 anticipate, namely, rulers themselves bowing before the Son and confessing His truth in public. This is not the fulfillment of the kingdom, but is an anticipation of where history is headed… the nations will be discipled and the kings of the earth must kiss the Son.
The Danger of False Trust
The glimmers of hope I see are contrasted with signs of danger. The temptation is to put our trust in princes and strong leaders like a Kirk, a Trump, or a political party, instead of Christ (Psa. 146:3). These leaders might be used of God but they are not saviors. If we make these leaders our ‘Ultimate’ we slip into the idolatry of Israel’s sin who asked for a king ‘like the nations’ (1 Sam 8).
Our Ultimate allegiance is not to elephants and donkeys because parties are only temporary coalitions of men while Christ’s reign is eternal. If we identify the kingdom with a party we will lose our prophetic edge and create surface level change that is susceptible to the winds of culture. Of course, when a party aligns itself with righteousness we support those policies joyfully. However, we cannot win the culture back through politics alone. The vision is not “Republicans will win,” but “Christ will win, and He calls the nations to kiss the Son” (Psa 2:10-12).
Seize the Moment for Christ
Glimmers must stir us to action. Do not waste this moment by glorifying princes or parties, but seize it as a summons to press the crown rights of King Jesus. From the pulpit to the table, from the neighborhood to the halls of Congress, let us labor militantly to bring every thought, law, and institution to the lordship of Christ because He already reigns and His kingdom cannot fail.
