People of the Blood

Revelation 1:5

I have been reading a biography of my favorite author Fyodor Dostoevsky. He not only was known as one of Russia’s premier authors, but also by many historians and theologians as a prophet. His novels gave a glimpse of what would eventually turn out to be the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. Theologically, Dostoevsky was Russian Orthodox, but politically he was a Nationalist. Russia had become greatly influenced by the French Enlightenment. In reading Dostoevsky and Leo Tolstoy, the setting of their novels depicts this liberal influence on Russian Society. Dostoevsky’s desire was to return to the historical Russia or what he called The people of the soil.

We have seen this politically in our country as well of late. Marxist Socialist ideas have swept across our great land over the last couple of decades and has gained significant ground. But there is also a nationalist movement as well which was very evident in President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again slogan. What many people in this movement was wanting was the same thing Dostoevsky desired for, which was a return to The people of the soil. It would be a return to the ideas that made this country the greatest country on earth.

I say all of this to illustrate what I think is an important point for you and I as Christians today. Their has been a division in Christian circles of late just like there has been in politics. Many Churches are buying into enlightenment Christian ideas which is a total let down of sound doctrine and Biblical morality. Just like America has forgotten the rock from which it had been cut out from, modern, progressive Christianity has forgotten the rock which it was built upon, the foundation that Jesus Christ is “The way, the truth, and the life.” It has forgotten that the “Wiseman builds his house on the rock and the wind, rains, and floods when they beat against the house, it will stand, because it is built on a rock.”

Politics has not only divided our country, but it has also divided our denominations and churches and this should never be. As Christians we should be concerned and pray for our country everyday as well as its leaders. We do this so that we may be able “Live a quiet and peaceable life.” (1 Timothy 2:2) But we also have to remember that we are more than citizens of America. Paul said “Our citizenship is in heaven and from it we await the savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20 ESV)

The point is that our loyalty is to Jesus first and his kingdom. We are not to get sucked into the idea that revival will come from the political realm. We cast our vote on our Biblical values and live out those values before a watching world. America will not be spared and its people will not be won to Jesus and experience the new birth through politics, but only through the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ! There is nothing wrong with us wanting to return back to a God fearing America again and be a people of the soil. But we must remember that the only true way to accomplish this is that we be a people of the blood first!

Pastor Robby