MY HOPE FOR AMERICA
Never in my thirty three years on earth have I felt such angst on July 4th, America’s day of celebration for independence. As you likely do, I have fond memories of celebrating the freedoms enjoyed in America from a very early age. As a child, I didn’t understand them or appreciate them to the extent I find myself more and more as I get older. Regardless of how one looks at American history, these freedoms were paid in blood by our forefathers.
Yet, we are living in tense times. My heart feels weighed down by what seems to be best defined as the moral decay of our society. It is not new nor is it unexpected, but like a terminal disease that is identified and attempted to be prevented, the suffering is not made any less painful because of its knowledge. Sin, like cancer, spreads if not treated and sins of all kinds have been widely ignored or misdiagnosed. Moral sins of the past that were once taboo are now normal. What once was near universally condemned is now celebrated and defended with political exertion and loss of social capital. It is astounding to watch a nation divide itself and crumble from within largely because of intentionally divisive doctrines that infiltrated academia in the 1960’s and have spurred us into a secular age in which we question everything and truth is subjectively defined from person to person and day by day. The church, perhaps, was not equipped or prepared for the tsunami of cultural change that has led us to where we are today. A nation that was widely founded on principles rooted in a Judeo/Christian ethic now finds itself in what some suggest to be a post-Christian society, searching for what it believes about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Jesus stated that "a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand” (Matthew 12:25), and America seems to be more divided that it has ever been in my lifetime. It’s shocking to watch so many American citizens have such disdain for the very ground they walk.
I love America, but she is not my god and makes for a poor savior. My hope is not in America or America’s future, but I have hope for America. I love the land in which I live, but it is not my forever home. Paul reminds us that, for the Christian, “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil.3:20). However, I’m not ashamed to be an American. I’m proud of it (key the music). I may be ashamed of certain actions or inactions of the nation at large in the past and at present, but I will not abandon the land I live in as if there is another nation free of moral guilt. I would protect this land similar to the way I would protect my own home if called upon. I’m grateful to live in the time and space I do and realize that people around the world both now and in generations before would risk life and limb to experience the freedoms and comforts we experience here - as is clearly seen by the waves of immigrants from every corner of the earth who want to seize upon ’the American dream’ and better their families.
America is not, nor have we ever been, perfect. That’s because we are made up of imperfect people. No nation on earth has ever been perfect because when we think of civilization we think of people - and where there is people there is sure to be evil. This does not mean that America is not or cannot be commonly ‘good.’ This does not mean God’s grace has not been clearly evidenced in America which has long led the world in religious freedom, free speech, innovation, humanitarians efforts, and economics. It does not mean that there have not been times in which a nation has been more righteous than others. It does mean we should always strive to be better, hold to our convictions of what makes us Americans, and correct ourselves when we do not live them out.
As a Christian, I mourn over the past sins of our nation and also feel great sorrow over the ever-increasing sins and division I see from Washington D.C. to Main Street today. It is borderline heart-wrenching to keep up with the 24/7 news cycle upon which most Americans confess they do not trust or at the least intake with a great deal of skepticism. I long for unity and righteousness to reign supreme in America; but realize that no nation will ever be perfect or without times of trial. My hope is in God and in the coming Kingdom where King Jesus reigns in perfect justice forever - a land free of tyranny, deception, crime, and so on.
To borrow a common expression, each American must “be the change you want to see in the world.” This change we desire for good often goes unnoticed and it takes millions of people caring for their neighbor and choosing to be, well, just friendly and courteous, to make a nation united and thrive. George Eliot wrote, “the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.”
America will not be ultimately changed for the better by a single tweet, a book, a speech laws being passed, a political, a movement, and especially this article - but by individual Americans who value the land we call home and realize it’s up to each of us to make it better, day by day, small action by small action. We must strive for righteous living which leads to righteous relations and lay a fertile ground for our children and grandchildren. We must practice righteous speech, behavior, humility, love, service, and moral virtue if we are to thrive as a righteous nation. I fear we have abandoned a desire to be righteous, and instead want to do things our way and be our own definer of truth and people say is good, rather than God - and we likely will pay a great cost. I fear that as a nation we are not pursuing righteousness, but sin.
My prayer this July 4th is that the gospel of Christ would go forward in power and create new hearts that desire righteousness and see God intervene. This goodness of America starts with God’s people, the church. The church must be those who exemplify a true love for their neighbors, help the needy, and defend the truths of God and righteousness. This is not a call for a “culture war” or for the “moral majority” to seize political power by whatever means necessary. This is my simple plea for those who desire God’s ways to flourish to not be silenced or intimidated by those who oppose the truth. It’s necessary to silence the truth for lies to be accepted; and I fear that many Christians are capitulating on the front lines of what should easily be identifiable issues of right and wrong for fear of offending others. It’s shocking to watch people who claim to submit to Christ as King and His Word as their authority be so concerned about offending others without giving thought to what offends God. The gospel is, indeed, the only message or movement that can change a person - and for that reason - a society. However, the gospel is preached not merely from pulpits and preachers like myself, but by Christians who live godly lives and hold fast to the truth.
"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34
To close, I’m reminded of a Frenchman who sought to understand the essence of America and what (at the time) had led to America’s rise in the world as a beacon the experiment of our republic and democracy. The inquirer stated,
"I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers—and it was not there. . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests—and it was not there. . . . .in her rich mines and her vast world commerce—and it was not there. . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution—and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.” - Alexis de Tocqueville
May we, with God’s grace and by His ways, lead the way in our temporary home by seizing upon our opportunity to love others and be righteous. And as we do, may God’s church be the signpost of a coming Kingdom that will be perfectly righteous, not because of who resides in it, but because of who rules as Sovereign King, the Lord Jesus Christ.
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood,
From sea to shining sea!
Adam Denny; Senior Pastor