I am a Christian who believes the only Christian nation is the Church of Jesus. 1 Peter 2:9 is my starting place, as I think about the relationship of the Christian to the state.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (ESV).

I assume the world is in darkness, and it is the place of the holy nation to declare the wonderful and saving news of Jesus to a lost and dying world. Therefore, I don’t look to the nation in which I live to help accomplish this task. Indeed, from history, I believe it can be definitively demonstrated that whenever national governments proclaim themselves to be Christian, heresy abounds, oppression results, and evangelism is blunted and arrested. As a biblical Christian, I am fully opposed to the concept of Christian nationalism.

I will state matters even more directly. I think the experience of Christians with their home nations is best compared to Daniel living in Babylon. Daniel finally became a leading political figure in Babylon. His impact on the king as well as the nation as a whole was considerable. But Daniel was never deluded. Each day, he would open his window, face Jerusalem and pray in that direction. Babylon would forever remain Babylon. It was never to be confused with Jerusalem. From that, I assume that the hope and faith of all Christians today does not rest in our country. Furthermore, our ultimate loyalty will never be confused with civic policies.

But that is not the end of the story. Jeremiah the prophet had important words for the Jewish captives living in Babylon. Jeremiah 29:7 says, “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” And to put this into modern terms, each Christian is called upon to seek the welfare of the nation where God has placed us. To be absolutely clear, I as a Canadian Christian do not believe that Canada is to be confused with the hope that is set before us. However, I am to seek the welfare of Canada, labouring to make this a better, more compassionate, more righteous, and more just nation. I am invested in this nation, while I do not think of it as my eternal hope.

With that as a theological background, let us consider Remembrance Day. I live in a nation that is afforded a dizzying array of rights and freedoms that past generations of Christians could not have imagined. I am deeply thankful for Canada. And furthermore, I am aware of the men and women who have fought bravely and sacrificially to secure and maintain these incredible rights. And I, as a Christian, who has benefited by the incredible sacrifice of others, cannot remain aloof from them. Instead, I owe them a profound debt of gratefulness and respect. That is why I wear a poppy. That is why, whenever I encounter a Canadian military man or woman, or a veteran in our service, I go out of my way to thank them for their service. And that is why I want this country to continue to be strong and free.

During this year’s Remembrance Day, I encourage Christians to do the same. Be thankful for our veterans, and remember the sacrifices that have been made on behalf of this nation. And take the time to pray for our nation. I believe that it is our obligation before God.