And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:28–33 (RSV)
What would your answer be if you were asked which is the greater danger to the Church, an atheistic state like China, or a free republic such as the United States?
Anyone who has even a passing understanding of history knows that communism has as one of its truths that religion is a danger to humans and must be eradicated. The Russian communists warred against the Church for nearly eighty years. Uncounted thousands of believers, priests, monks, and nuns were martyred by the state. Churches were closed, destroyed, and desecrated in an attempt to blot out the Church.
They tried, and the resurgence of Christianity in Russia since the collapse of communism demonstrates their failure. It has been thus wherever tyrants and atheists have wielded the power of the state against the Church. Martyrs by the thousands die for the faith, the outward signs of the Church are destroyed, but the Body of Christ, which is the Church, endures.
As much harm is done to the Church by those who hate it and seek to destroy it, a greater danger exists. This danger comes as the Church is accepted, protected, and used by the state as a bulwark of the state. Under the 'protection of the state, the Church can, in time, lose its identity, thinking the Kingdom is manifested in the state. We can lose our devotion to our Lord over devotion to the state.
We live in America, and thanks be to God for the freedoms we enjoy as citizens. I can and do have pride in being an American, especially being an Iowan. We must also remember that no nation will last, no matter how strong. Like all those who have arisen before us, even the United States will one day fade from the stage of history.
We in the Church confess our faith in the Risen Christ and the Father who gave Him to suffer and die on our behalf. Our devotion, our loyalty, is first and always to Christ. In Him alone is the eternal Kingdom, our true country rooted in the love, mercy, and grace of the Father.