This Fourth of July will likely pass fairly quietly–hard to get excited about #233. As a nation, we will celebrate, but many are no longer certain what we are celebrating. Are celebrating the freedom to do whatever we want? The Bible calls that license, and the concept yields the word licenciousness. Are we celebrating the protection and purpose of God as the guiding star of our country? An increasing number would deny such. The identity and value system of our nation is in question. A recent survey by George Barna suggests that our nation now has the following five characteristics:
• Absence of a shared vision for the future
• Value confusion leading to inability to make appropriate decisions
• Elimination of community and loss of a sense of common good
• Deterioration of respectful dialogue and fruitful exchange of competing ideas
• Abandonment of moral character and personal decency
George Washington said, “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” At Valley Forge, he prayed: “Almighty and eternal Lord God, the great Creator of heaven and earth, and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; look down from heaven in pity and compassion upon me Thy servant, who humbly prostrates myself before Thee.” He also said, “To the distinguished character of a patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of a Christian.”
This nation was founded as a Christian nation. The founding fathers had a deep faith in Jesus Christ. Today, there is a movement to remove God from our history and our foundations. To paraphrase a thought often repeated: “If this occurs, America will no longer be good. And when America ceases to be good, we will cease to be great.”
England also had a great Christian statesman in its early years. A man named William Wilberforce grew to prominence at an early age. At age 28 he came to faith in Christ and almost gave up politics to pursue ministry. John Newton, author of “Amazing Grace”, convinced him to stay in politics. His initiatives changed the world; probably the best-known is the abolishment of slavery in England.
On this day, I invite to pray that our nation might acknowledge and embrace our godly heritage and God will raise up leaders who lead from the foundation of firm faith in the living God who has penetrated this world and demonstrated his love in giving his Son, Jesus Christ, that we might be redeemed–from sin, in relationships, in purpose, in life, and for eternity.