Who Will You Choose? (Navigating The US-China Rivalry)

In an era marked by escalating tensions between China and the United States, headlines warn of economic rivalries, ideological clashes, and military posturing. Terms like “Cold War 2.0” and “Great Power Competition” dominate discourse as these superpowers jockey for dominance in technology, trade, and influence. For Christians seeking to live out their faith in a world teetering on the edge, this environment poses a critical question: Who will you choose?

The subtle danger of great power competition lies in its insidious ability to fracture societies and even the church. In a world increasingly defined by nationalistic narratives and competing ideologies, Christians are at risk of unwittingly mirroring the divisions that plague the world. The temptation to align with a nation’s agenda or political ideology grows strong, swayed by narratives that demonize “the other” or champion one nation’s superiority. Such pressures sow seeds of discord, threatening to splinter the body of Christ.

The Perils of Division

While nationalism fosters civic unity, an overemphasis on national identity risks overshadowing our primary calling as citizens of God’s Kingdom (Philippians 3:20). Nationalistic pursuits, even well-intentioned, can tempt Christians to compromise biblical values: compassion for the marginalized, forgiveness for enemies, and justice for all. Fear and suspicion fuelled by geopolitical narratives breed mistrust toward fellow believers from different cultures, reducing them to their nation’s perceived actions rather than seeing them as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Moreover, nations under political and societal pressure may adopt a moral compass in opposition to Scripture. Societal shifts on issues like life, family, and justice increasingly clash with biblical teachings, pressuring Christians to conform to evolving norms. The devil, who “knows that a house divided cannot stand” (Matthew 12:25), exploits these fissures. If left unchecked, political and nationalistic passions could fracture the church, diminishing its influence as a beacon of hope and reconciliation.

Choosing Unity

How, then, should Christians respond? The answer lies in anchoring ourselves in our primary allegiance: “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own special people” (1 Peter 2:9). We are “foreigners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11) in a world that is not our home (Hebrews 13:14). Like the early church under Roman oppression, we thrive not by seeking power but by living differently – loving enemies, sharing resources, and proclaiming Jesus as the true Prince of Peace.

But amid these pressures, Singapore’s foreign policy offers a valuable parallel. Rather than taking sides in global rivalries, Singapore has consistently chosen a different path. Despite external pressures, it maintains principled stances, speaking out against actions that violate these norms, regardless of the actor. Its foreign policy emphasizes sovereignty, peaceful resolution of disputes, and support for a rules-based international order. This principled approach to foreign policy – prioritizing consistency over convenience – preserves its autonomy and credibility.

Christians can draw wisdom here. If a small nation resists alignment with earthly powers, how much more should the church, anchored in timeless biblical truth, remain steadfast? When conflicts arise at home, the workplace, or church, do we reject “sides” and advocate for grace, justice, and reconciliation? Our loyalty to Christ’s command to “love one another” (John 13:34-35) becomes our “rules-based order,” transcending divisive narratives.

Choosing Truth

Just as Singapore had on many occasions refused to yield to external pressures but instead acted by its own established principles, Christians must always uphold the Scripture’s unchanging truth, even when they oppose societal trends or national agendas. Like Daniel in Babylon, who refused to compromise worship even under threat (Daniel 6:10), we must prioritize divine truth over cultural conformity.

When governments normalize oppression, redefine justice, or elevate national interests above human dignity, believers cannot remain silent. We reject moral relativism, confronting policies that devalue life, distort marriage, or marginalize the vulnerable – even at the risk of being ostracised and cancelled.

Additionally, we should reject idolatrous allegiances and political fanaticism that may blind us from the truth. In the church, we must guard against syncretism and be cautious not to label political agendas as “God’s will.” In relationships, we build bridges with Christians worldwide, treating those from “rival” nations as family.

Converging at the Cross

In this period of US-China tensions, churches on all sides must not compete but converge around the cross. The world demands we choose sides – East or West, democracy or autocracy, “us” or “them.” But Christ pleads for us to choose Him. In a divided age, the church’s unity is its greatest evangelistic tool. When we transcend earthly rivalries to love unconditionally, serve sacrificially, and proclaim hope unwaveringly, we reflect God’s desire for “all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4).

Like Singapore, our integrity grants disproportionate influence. By steadfastly upholding God’s truth and not the fleeting alliances of this world, we draw others to the Gospel’s transformative hope.

So, who will you choose? May we all choose Jesus, whose kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). For in Him, there is no East or West; no wall of separation. Only the unifying power of the cross.