The Author of Freedom
Video "We Are Free"
As a nation, last Friday we celebrated "Independence Day", the 4th of July. We've had our red, white and blue decor around the building since Memorial Day. I consider myself first and foremost a citizen of the Kingdom of God - but I also consider myself a patriot. And my allegiance to this country doesn't change when administrations change. I've always said - our only hope is, and always has been, in God and in His Word.
I read a lot of articles from different sources and a while back I found an interesting one at Churchleaders.com. I wanted to share some brief excerpts and then share my thoughts. It started...
"'God and country' is a popular sentiment... This seemingly honorable motto is problematic. It fails to promote an ideology that seeks God's glory and multinational kingdom... Instead, it turns Jesus into a patriot. Such a mentality tends to confuse God's interests with those of a political party. It makes the United States the center of God's affections, above every other nation...
"Jesus isn't sitting in the heavenlies whistling 'God Bless America' with the Declaration of Independence on his desk and pictures of the Founding Fathers on his wall. He won't return in a pickup truck with 'God and Country' bumper stickers and a flag in tow. Jesus isn't an American patriot... The flag our Savior waves is the flag of his own kingdom, to which all nations, tribes, and tongues will bend their knee. - Even the United States of America."
The article, in my opinion, sets up a slanted stereotype that isn't accurate. His argument about the phase, "God and country" misses the fact that God is placed first - before country. No one expects Jesus to return in a pickup with a "God and Country" bumper sticker and an American flag - but what's wrong if you or I would drive one? The phrase "God and country" doesn't imply that Jesus was an American. But I would expect to find an American Flag in an American Church - just like I would probably expect to see a French Flag in a Church in France.
In my opinion - being a patriot AND a Christian are not mutually exclusive. In fact - I would suggest that those who might be offended by such ideas don't understand or appreciate the fact that…
I. America is unique
And notice I did not say 'perfect', but unique. I don't worship America or the flag. But I do agree with the words of Winston Churchill who said, "No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."
I don't subscribe to the modern understanding of the concept of 'separation of Church and State'. The original concept was meant to protect the Church from the government and not the other way around. Being a committed follower of Jesus Christ used to be a meaningful qualification for anyone seeking public office. Now, in many minds, it's an immediate disqualification. And some like to throw around the warning of "Christian Nationalism" in a derogatory way.
John Jay, one of the framers of the constitution and the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, wrote, "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers." Try saying that today and you'd definitely be labeled a 'Christian Nationalist'...
I strongly believe that those who have separated their personal beliefs about Jesus and their political beliefs are very misguided. Our personal faith in Jesus Christ must permeate everything we do, say and believe or it's not a genuine faith but a convenient philosophy. America is unique solely because it was founded as...
A. A Christian Nation
There continues to be lively debate as to whether America can be considered a Christian Nation. If you mean that everyone who resides in our borders is a Christian, then 'no', we are not a Christian nation. However, if you look to the birth of this nation and the principles on which it stands – then, absolutely, resoundingly 'yes', we are undeniably a Christian nation! This nation was founded upon God's Word!
Throughout America's history, many leaders were not timid about the facts of our unique founding. The Legislature of New York declared in 1838: "This is a Christian nation." The Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court in 1892 declared that in the court's opinion the United States was indeed a "Christian nation."
If you took the time and did some digging through the writings and speeches and letters penned by our leaders and early presidents, you would find these familiar words I share at this time of year...
George Washington said, "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."
Thomas Jefferson, regarding religious denominations said, "To the corruptions of Christianity I am, indeed opposed; but not to the genuine precepts of Jesus himself. I am a Christian, in the only sense in which he wished any one to be; sincerely attached to his doctrines, in preference to all others."
John Quincy Adams said in a speech in 1837 celebrating the 4th of July, "Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birth-day of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth? That it laid the corner stone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?"
And all those words were written in light of 'separation of Church and state'. And if it were not for the constraints of time I could go on with pages more. It is a fact that this nation was intentionally built on God's Word, recognizing in its founding the freedoms that we have been given by God! And it is only because of this recognition that America has been blessed.
We have the freedom to speak our minds, to 'peacefully protest', to share our religious beliefs, to vote, to gather and to worship freely. America is not blessed because we are somehow better or smarter than any other peoples or nation. We have only been blessed in the past because of a…
B. Submission to God
Not every single leader in our nation's history claimed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A very large majority did, but even those who didn't still operated very much within a 'Christian worldview'.
Most did agree with the words of John Hancock and John Adams, "We recognize no Sovereign but God and no king but Jesus!" But, even among the minority who did not personally follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior, there was a recognition and acceptance of God as The higher power.
On July 4th, 1776, the Continental Congress signed the "Declaration of Independence" which unashamedly states their belief in The Creator God. Before signing they called all the signers to prayer and fasting to the God of the Bible.
The Plymouth Charter states that their Colony was established: "To advance the enlargement of the Christian religion to the glory of God Almighty." The Delaware Charter defines the purpose of their Colony, "To further propagate the Holy Gospel." The Virginia Charter instructs the people to: "Propagate the Christian religion to such people who yet live in ignorance of the true knowledge and worship of God." The Rhode Island Compact: "We submit our persons, lives, and estates unto our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
But despite our unique Christian founding, I don't think it's a surprise to anyone that we are losing our faith in God as a nation. Despite America's prior submission to God, this trend should be...
II. A warning to our nation
In 1960 92% of Americans self identified as Christian. Now, statistics say that only 62% of Americans self identify as Christian. And the facts are, while faith in God is down in America - Christianity is growing rapidly in Africa, Asia and South America. And that's something to celebrate! And while God's kingdom will always continue - there's no promise that America will always have God's blessing.
President Abraham Lincoln, 1863: "We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven… But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us. It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness."
As Christians, one of the most important responsibilities we have to this nation is to pray for our country and its leaders. And that is always true whether you voted for any person currently in office or not.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - (2) for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (3) This is good, and pleases God our Savior, (4) who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
At the first Constitutional Convention, the delegates were fighting to develop this new nation's precepts. Some were frustrated at not being able to agree and were ready to give up. Benjamin Franklin stood up and said, "Gentlemen, if it is true that not one single petal from any flower falls to the ground without escaping God's attention, will the distress of this nation go unheeded? Let us therefore determine to seek His face."
They immediately put down their pens and got on their knees in prayer to seek God's divine guidance. Today, many leaders have rejected that guidance. Rather than seek God, many suggest that the answer to America's problems is…
A. Politics and education
I don't pretend that I'm somehow above politics. I have strong political opinions, and I vote. But I reject the idea that politics and education alone are the solutions that will save this nation. Some believe, "If we can just educate people they will then choose to be good, moral people. If we can just throw enough money into social programs and pass the right legislation, then we can meet people's needs. When we do all that, then America will prosper."
Education is a good thing, but when it ignores God's greater truths, it becomes something that drives people away from God rather than to Him. Our modern secularized universities are now prime examples of this. Many want a progressive, 'enlightened' education divorced from any talk of God - separate from any of God's values. The Bible says...
Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Without an education that acknowledges God as your Creator - any knowledge or opinions you gain are built on a faulty foundation. It may get you a decent job, but without a knowledge of God - you're still a fool. And we even have many - quote unquote - "well educated" politicians.
Our salvation as a nation didn't ride on either the passage or the defeat of the "One Big, Beautiful Bill". You wouldn't know that if you only read social media... I'm not saying politics and legislation don't matter. They do - they affect our lives greatly. And elections do have consequences. However, I am very thankful our nation's early leaders had the humility to acknowledge...
Psalms 127:1 (NIV)
Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.
I pray that leaders on both sides of the aisle first acknowledge God and seek His guidance. America's answer has never been found in politics, secular education or money.
B. America needs Jesus
In scripture, when a man was begging the Apostle Peter for help - Peter replied, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." And then after healing the man, we see this in Acts 4:8-12 (NIV)...
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! (9) If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, (10) then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
(11) He is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' (12) Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
No leader, no general, no politician, no president, no legislation, no other religious teacher, no one can give us what Jesus Christ can! Our only hope is, and always has been, in God and His Word become flesh - Jesus!
In the Old Testament we find these words in Psalms 33:8-12 (NIV)...
Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. (9) For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. (10) The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. (11) But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. (12) Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.
When written, this was written specifically about the nation of Israel. I'm not implying that America is the new Israel, God's chosen nation. But under the New Covenant - through Jesus - it can now apply to any nation who submits and follows God. America's blessings do not depend on our education, our party affiliation, our politics or philosophies but on our acceptance or rejection of God and His ways!
So What?
Back to the article I referenced at the beginning - the author wrote, "The flag our Savior waves is the flag of his own kingdom, to which all nations, tribes, and tongues will bend their knee. - Even the United States of America." I fully agree with the statement - but what I think he fails to understand - that's exactly what we celebrate on the 4th of July! I am patriotic because the United States started out on its knees in devotion to Jesus!
When America's leaders and people acknowledge God and His Word - that is when America is great! God loves the world so much that Jesus gave His life for every person on this globe – even those who seek to do this country harm... He wants all people to turn to Him and accept Jesus!
Does God have a special purpose for America? I can't say for sure, but I do know that it is God's desire that America be a blessing to His Kingdom. That will only happen if each of us are seeking to please Jesus daily in our individual lives, and praying for our country and its leaders. Because of America's recognition of God – you have the freedom to serve God, the Author of Freedom, and to be a blessing to Him! How you choose to exercise that freedom is up to you.