We know that Jesus saves individuals — but what about whole nations?
In recent years, we have seen the rise of many threats to life, faith, marriage, family and freedom. Australia is a nation in need of saving! The state of our country is why the Australian Christians are so motivated to be a light for truth and Jesus in government.
Some people might feel uncomfortable with the idea that Jesus saves nations. To ask if Jesus can save Australia is not a question of individual salvation, but social and cultural renewal.
Another way to pose the question would be this: Can Jesus rescue us from our moral chaos and reform Australia to be the best nation it can be for everyone?
History attests that when the gospel changes enough hearts and minds, it is not just sinners who are saved, but whole societies, too.
Western Christians have become very hesitant to explain the positive benefits that Christianity brings to our culture. As Australia has grown more secular, we have learned to keep our spiritual opinions to ourselves, our faith out of politics, and our Christian lives safe within the walls of the church.
Yes, we believe that saving individual souls is still the mission of the church. But by and large, Christians have decided that the culture itself can go to hell. Is that what Jesus wants?
To be sure, even if our culture, nation or civilisation collapses, the kingdom of God will continue to advance. The church has endured Communism, Nazism, Roman Emperors and much more! Jesus is bigger than any calamity, and He has promised to be with us even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).
But we should ask ourselves if we want our children and grandchildren to face tyranny, dystopia and possible martyrdom like prior generations of Christians. Doesn’t your heart yearn for a better future for them?
Even more fundamentally, we have a permanent mandate from God to be a blessing to the society we live in — to love Australia and to be an influence for good in our nation.
Like the Jewish exiles living in Babylon, God has called us to “work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:7).
A similar command is echoed in the New Testament: “Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Saviour, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:2).
If we fulfil this calling faithfully and see our culture and nation renewed, it won’t just be the church that benefits. Every Australian will continue to enjoy the kind of justice, safety and freedom that has made our nation the envy of the world. Don’t forget that Western nations like Australia have provided welfare, refuge, affluence and opportunity to untold numbers of people fleeing injustice.
In other words, Australia is a good nation to want to save!
God is in control of world affairs, yet He enlists us in what He is doing. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, famously said, “I am not waiting for a move of God; I am a move of God.”
We get to become “a move of God” wherever we go, so long as we obey Jesus’ command to be the salt of the earth, the light of the world, and a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see,” Jesus said, “so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
The main role of Christians is not to preserve the kingdoms of this world, but rather to advance the kingdom of God. As Jesus declared, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” Paul also reminds us that we are citizens of heaven, not earth.
Having said this, Jesus also declared that “the Kingdom of God is already among you”. It is within us and around us. God’s kingdom is not some abstract, ethereal idea. It has concrete expression in our world. As we seek God’s kingdom, we cannot help but have a tangible impact on the world around us.
We will be like light that shines in the darkness and shows others the way; like salt that heals, flavours, cleans and preserves Australia, for everyone’s benefit.
This is why we invite you to join the Australian Christians to be a voice for truth and righteousness in our nation. Get involved today!
