The question is about priorities.

Which takes precedence for you: your faith or your patriotism?

I’m not asking you to abandon one or the other. I am asking you to be honest with yourself and answer this question: Is your life more defined by your Christianity and the Lord you claim to serve, or by the American dream, and your right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?

How would your family answer this question about you? What about your coworkers? Your neighbors?

How would those who read your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and any and every other aspect of your public life answer that question about you?

Are you more defined by your right to living your own life? Or by laying your own life down so Christ can live through you?

Are you more defined by your right to your liberties? Or by your right to lay down your freedoms for the sake of others?

Are you more defined by your right to pursue happiness? Or by your privilege and duty to pursue the glory of God?

I can’t answer these questions for you. You can’t answer them for me. We each have to wrestle with these questions and answer them on our own.

Then, we have to figure out what we’re going to do about it.

There are three ways we can respond.

1. We can reject God’s Word and purposes for ourselves and His church.
2. We can agree (in principle) with God’s Word and purposes, yet live as if they are optional or only apply when we want them to or it’s convenient.
3. We can agree in word and in truth by actually living in accordance with what we say we believe.

How will you respond?

I’m tired of living in a culture that treats the church just like Burger King. It’s not about having it your way. It’s not about having it my way, either.

Do you desire to let God have His way? In your life? In your family? In your church? In your country? In the world?

What will you do today? Will you live as an American Christian or as a Christian American?

Same words. Different pursuits.

(To read more about these themes, check out these books on the church and church leadership.)