Americanism Versus Christianity

Many Christians today are blessed to live in the United States of America. This country has been religiously tolerant for its entire history, and has one of the highest standards of living in the world. We, as Christians, are able to go about our daily lives unimpeded from many of the troubles that beset others in different countries.

For all of its blessedness and freedoms, however, America also poses a stumbling block for Christians. Many of the ideals of American society are completely contrary to the ideals of the Christian. Let us look at how becoming too deeply imbued in American society will lead to great conflict with Christ:

Money. The United States of America does have a national religion, and its idol is the money sign. In America, everything has a price; how many people have been led into miserable lives due to the desire for money? Paul writes to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:9-10:

But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Therefore, the Christian in America must be on guard, forsaking the attitude of wealth and to aspire for what Paul urged Timothy to in verse 11:

But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

Pride. The United States of America is a country full of pride, some of which is not unjustified. The U.S.A. has risen from thirteen small colonies to the leading power of the world in only two hundred years. Unfortunately, however, the pride of America has become overweening, preventing the country to admit when it is at fault. The Christian must stay away from such pride, and act humbly, as Jesus illustrates in a parable of Luke 18:9-14: