Anytime we ask the question of what God expects from us individually or as a nation we have to turn to God’s Word for the answer. In Proverbs 16:12 it states, "It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: For the throne is established by righteousness.” 

The relationship of a Christian to government and the purpose of government are revealed in Romans 13:1-6: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.” 

Bear in mind that Paul wrote this when Christians were living under a corrupt government. We live under a government today that is by the people and for the people. We individually have a say in how we are to be governed (not that they seem to always listen to us.) We individuals are the government and it does not exist apart from individuals. When you hear the government has done this or that, we know that individuals have done this or that. So in a sense what God expects from a nation is the same generic attribute He expects in us as individuals; separate and apart from the religious expectations such as worshipping Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24.) 

When Pilate told the Jews that he found no fault in Jesus and nothing worthy of death, but went ahead and used the power of the state to execute Jesus, we see a failure of both the state and an individual. If the individual had not succumbed to authorizing this miscarriage of justice, neither would have the state. Please note that there was no follow up by the state on this injustice. 

What God does not want in us as an individual nor a nation is to refuse to retain Him in our knowledge. In Romans 1:26-32 Paul describes a people who have turned their back on God: " For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” 

Do not these characteristics prevail in our nation today, and are we not boastful of their practices? This situation will result in God turning His back on us. We are a powerful and rich nation, but we stand at a crossroad. The path we choose will be directed by the character of our nation as a whole that is made up of the character of its individuals. It is crucial that we do not forget what the Psalmist declared in Psalm 100:3: "Know ye that the Lord he is God: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; …” 

Charles Royal, Decatur AL