Council Grove Christian Church

2/18/26
Servants of God,
 
“This was a foolish idea that ignored both human nature
and it ignored the lessons of over 5,000 years of recorded human history.”
-Marco Rubio
 
Just days ago, Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, the country’s top diplomat, delivered a speech before a European security conference. He announced the intentions of the American administration to restore the idea of nation states and announced boldly that borders, language and culture are central to every nation. Rubio spoke of America as a “child of Europe” and he expressed pride in the fact that the Christian faith was an essential element in forging Western civilization.
 
Secretary Rubio boldly proclaimed that the idea of the “rules-based global order” that wanted to do away with national borders and make everyone a “citizen of the world” was dead. He called for a return from such foolishness to the wisdom grounded in recorded history and rooted in the Christian faith. It was an important speech and a brave one at that.
 
For decades, the enemies of human flourishing have worked hard to destroy Western Civilization—particularly because it is rooted in the Christian faith. Of course, the West is not and never was perfect. But the West, shaped by its Christian virtues, brought more human freedom and human flourishing than any civilization in human history. America, founded on principles of God-given rights must be viewed as a child of Europe. God has done a particular work in America. Our nation has become a gospel projection platform. American greatness is well documented, but only the blind cannot see that our nation is in moral and political decline.
 
As our congregation progresses through the Truth Rising studies, it is my prayer that each member of the body will be better informed about the dangers America (and the American church) faces. We stand at a cultural crossroad. As Os Guinness calls it, a cultural moment. Trusting God, relying upon His Holy Spirit, and guided by His word, each of us can do our part to stop the bleeding and nurse the corporate national body back to health.
 
Christian doctrine is the study of truth. Truth about God matters as does truth about human nature and human nations. As citizens of the Kingdom of the beloved Son (Colossians 1:13) we hold dual citizenship—a physical one and a greater and far more precious spiritual citizenship. We do have to render to Caesar that which is his, but our highest loyalty is to Christ. The more loyal and obedient we are to King Jesus, the better American citizens we will be. Those who lived before us in this nation understood this better than does the present population. It is not too late for America to repent, reorient and remember with joy and satisfaction how we became a great and good nation.
 
By passionately pursuing Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the life we can bless those who follow us. My prayer is that our congregation will embrace our place and time in human history and be faithful servants who are willing to be instruments of righteousness in our blessed redeemer’s hand.
 
Blessings,
 
Pastor John
 
Coram Deo