In two sermons on Sunday on the topic of "loving one's country," Beijing Chongwenmen Church ministers taught that Christians should submit to governing authorities as an act of submission to God and are called to live out their faith as the light of the world, bringing glory to God's name.
"Should Christians be patriotic? Why should they be?" asked Minister Yan in one sermon. He pointed to Romans 13:1, which says: "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."
Yan emphasized that the historical context of Paul's words matters. The Roman Empire at that time was marked by violence, injustice, and oppression, yet Paul still instructed believers to submit to authority. "Paul goes on to explain that resisting authority is resisting what God has instituted," he said.
A common question that arises is whether Christians must also submit to flawed or unjust authorities. To address this, Yan cited Ephesians 5 and the biblical instruction for wives to submit to their husbands in everything. "Submission does not mean a lack of opinions or advice," he said, noting that women are also called to be helpers to their husbands.
He went on to say that, as Christians, we all sin—and so do governing authorities around the world, because all humans are limited and fallible. What matters, he emphasized, is that God knew everything these authorities would do when He established them. God allowed these things to happen under His sovereign will.
"Even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, 'The Lord rebuke you!'" Christians are not meant to sit in judgment over what is right or wrong, Yan said, "only God can judge."
Yan expressed disappointment that some Christians, in the name of faith, openly engage in actions that disrupt social order. "In all four Gospels, is there any moment when Jesus taught His disciples to overthrow the Roman government? Or any teaching that encouraged social disorder? None," he said.
Instead, Yan urged believers to follow the example of Jesus, who became flesh and lived among humanity. He encouraged the congregation to genuinely repent, live out their faith in daily life, and become a blessing wherever God has placed them, beginning in their own homes, communities, and workplaces.
Early Christians, Yan noted, were not only favored by God but also found favor with people, because they lived out their faith. "People may see Jesus in you," he told the congregation. "But the question is: is the Jesus they see in you one they want to honor—or one they reject?"
Minister Xu echoed similar points in his sermon, calling believers to be the light of the world by living according to God's word, warming others with their lives, and helping those around them so that people may give glory to the Father in heaven.
Xu shared the testimony of a Christian woman in a high-ranking corporate position. She was known for her integrity, diligence, decisiveness, and wisdom. Her conduct sparked a colleague's interest in Christianity, and eventually, that colleague began attending church and became a believer.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, believers from Chongwenmen Church donated to hard-hit regions. The church's "Sunshine Care Project" has also served the local community by caring for elderly people living alone and others in need. These, Xu said, are expressions of Christian responsibility to both faith and nation.
