Freedom

As I was praying this morning, my prayers turned to prayer for our country. To be honest, I hadn't planned on praying this way, although I should have. As I prayed, a question ran through my mind. Is this country really special? It doesn't say in the Bible, "I shall raise up a country in future times called America and it shall be my nation." The simple answer is that our country is special because it has been strongly influenced by Christians throughout its history.

For some sovereign reason, this land has had a special influence that many nations have not. Many countries are in darkness under bondage to rulers, philosophies and religions that bring both spiritual and physical harm to its people. Yet this nation, being strongly influenced by that precious faith handed down to us, has brought freedom. Love thy neighbor as thyself. Honor one another above yourselves. Maintain justice, care for the orphan and the widow. We are creatures in the image of God--the God of goodness, mercy, grace, love and justice. This is true freedom. That this country has been a truly free country and also founded on Christian principles must not be carelessly overlooked. It is the tradition of the Christian faith that has made this country great.

Yet these principles are not going unchallenged. This nation is not perfect. This nation has sins just like any country. Not all who live in this land both in present and past are or have been godly. There is evil in our land. There is injustice. There has been the shedding of innocent blood. There have been influences of greed, darkness, hate, lust that if left unchecked will bring bondage not freedom.

Our country at this time in its history is not truly one nation under God as it has professed in the past. We live in a divided country. There is one side that believes freedom and the Christian faith are inseparably linked. There is another side that believe they are not. This side often works against the Faith of our Fathers to supress it and remove its influence. There are forces that believe ridding the land of the Christian faith will bring freedom. However, doing so will bring a swift removal of freedom. The whole foundation of human dignity, charity, good will, mercy and justice would be swept away.

The blessing on our land and the true God of Scripture can not be separated. It is His face shining on our land that gives freedom. It is the knowledge of His will, His heart, His law, His morality and values that propel liberty. Take these away and the home of the free and the brave will become like other nations that oppress its people for the sake of those few who rule it.

Our struggle to maintain freedom must begin with the Truth. We must work to promote and preserve the true Christian faith. That must be our number one battle.

Blessings,
John