Examining Biblical Principles Beyond National Identity
National identity is defined as the collective sense of belonging to a nation, shaped by shared cultural traits and influenced by factors such as ethnicity, religion, and language, while also reflecting the complexities of multiculturalism and the varying degrees of inclusivity or exclusivity with a nation.
Understanding the Heart of Biblical Christianity
The idea that America is inherently a “Christian nation” is often debated, especially when viewed through the lens of Scripture. While the nation’s history undeniably features Christian influences, biblical Christianity is rooted not in national institutions but in individual character, personal discipleship, and a commitment to justice, mercy, and humility before God. These values are succinctly captured in Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8 — God’s Requirements for Humanity
Micah 6:8 lays out three simple yet profound expectations for every person: pursue justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. These are not mandates for nations or governments, but guiding principles for individuals seeking to live out their faith.
Act Justly
Justice, in the biblical sense, calls for fairness, honesty, and integrity in our interactions. It requires us to treat others equitably, especially those who are marginalized or oppressed. While American society has made progress in areas of justice, it has also wrestled with persistent challenges like systemic inequality and racial discrimination. True biblical justice transcends laws and policies; it permeates personal relationships and everyday actions.
Love Mercy
To love mercy is to practice kindness and compassion, especially toward those in need. This isn’t limited to sporadic acts of charity—it demands a steady, unwavering commitment to loving others as God loves us. Though mercy is present in American society, often through individuals or organizations, it is not necessarily a collective national trait. A community truly rooted in Christian principles would consistently prioritize compassion over power and humility over pride.
Walk Humbly with God
Walking humbly with God means acknowledging our dependence on Him, embracing humility, and rejecting arrogance. It is a personal journey that fosters obedience and reverence. While national pride might sometimes conflict with humility, biblical faith calls for modesty and repentance—qualities that cannot be collectively claimed by any nation but must be embraced by individuals.
The Call to Personal Discipleship
Jesus’ teachings center on individual discipleship. He called people, not nations, to follow Him. Discipleship is about transformation—allowing Christ to reshape our character, attitudes, and actions. In the Great Commission, Jesus commands believers to “go and make disciples of all nations,” emphasizing the role of personal mentorship, teaching, and spiritual growth within the community of faith.
Discipleship is a lifelong journey marked by intentional growth, accountability, and deepening relationships. As believers walk this path, they build supportive communities where transformation and faith flourish. Teaching, mentorship, and genuine relationships are vital to fulfilling Christ’s vision, helping believers mature and multiply His teachings throughout the world.
Living Out Christ’s Teachings
Following and Imitating Jesus
Christ calls His followers to reflect His life and values—loving others, forgiving enemies, and prioritizing spiritual riches over material gain. This imitation is a deeply personal commitment, not a trait that can be ascribed to an entire nation.
Self-Denial and Taking Up the Cross
Discipleship involves self-denial and a willingness to endure hardship for the sake of the Gospel. While themes of sacrifice and service appear in American history, these cannot define a nation’s spiritual identity; true discipleship is a matter of personal surrender and devotion.
Serving Others
Jesus taught that greatness is found in serving others—especially those who are overlooked or in need. Acts of service within American society are often initiated by individuals or groups, not by the nation as a whole. Christian servanthood is a personal calling, not a national attribute.
Loving One Another
The mark of true discipleship is sacrificial, unconditional love. For a nation to truly embody this principle, its culture and policies would need to be shaped by love and compassion, rather than rhetoric or tradition.
Bearing Spiritual Fruit
Disciples are called to bear fruit—living lives characterized by kindness, patience, and self-control. While national policies often reflect pragmatic interests, the spiritual fruits described in Galatians 5:22–23 are cultivated through personal spiritual growth.
Making Disciples
Jesus’ command to make disciples is a personal charge, not a call for nations to enforce religious beliefs. America’s commitment to religious freedom aligns with the biblical principle of voluntary faith, ensuring individuals can respond to the Gospel freely.
Abiding in Christ’s Word
Living as a disciple means continually obeying Jesus’ teachings. Given the diversity of beliefs and values in any nation, collective obedience is unattainable; following Christ is always a personal responsibility.
Growing in Christlikeness
Discipleship is a lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus. This transformation occurs individual by individual, and cannot be claimed as a national journey or achievement.
Distinguishing National Identity from Personal Faith
The notion that America as a whole embodies Christian teachings oversimplifies the biblical message. Scripture calls individuals—not governments—to pursue justice, mercy, humility, and discipleship. National identity is complex and shaped by compromise, which rarely aligns perfectly with the teachings of Christ. A nation truly reflecting Christian values would embrace the Sermon on the Mount—meekness, peacemaking, and forgiveness—qualities often at odds with political and economic agendas.
Conclusion
To claim America as a Christian nation is to overlook the deeply personal nature of biblical faith. God’s requirements—justice, mercy, humility—and Christ’s teachings on discipleship emphasize individual responsibility and transformation. While Christian influences exist within America’s history and culture, these do not create a national identity that fully aligns with the Gospel. The true call of Christianity is personal: to follow Jesus, grow in faith, and live out His teachings in daily life. This commitment cannot be legislated or institutionalized; it must be chosen, embraced, and embodied by individuals.
What truly makes a difference is when we live out our faith as a powerful witness to God’s unwavering love for all humanity.
Minister A Francine Green
October 2025
afrancinegreen.com 