One Nation, Under God
This Saturday marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the American Experiment. I believe that we are a blessed people to live in a nation conceived by the ideal that all people are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. Admittedly, we have not and do not always live up to this ideal, but that is precisely why it should be so lauded and pursued. Never in human history had a government been founded on the concept that individual human rights were derived from God, not the state. Even today, modern nations (at times even our own) struggle to realize this. Much of our modern political divide is rooted in this fundamental distinction: Does government grant rights, or secure those already granted by God?
The idea of America is that the latter is true. In that respect, our government has often failed in its task for some. This is most notable in our nation’s sad chapter of slavery. Yet, while we must acknowledge this failure, it must also be acknowledged that the United States of America led human history in abolishing this universal human institution, which many nations and cultures around the world still practice today. In other words, the American ideal did break through and triumph over this evil. Failure is never final until we stop striving, and the story of America is one ever striving, failing forward towards the goal.
But, we have to understand this: It is not really America, or the idea of America, that leads human hearts and lives into freedom. It is Christ and His church. The influence of Christianity cannot be diminished in telling the story of this nation’s formation, even though in our current time it is attempted with all effort. We shouldn’t confuse or conflate Christ and His church with any nation. Although 250 years is a milestone, it is insignificant compared with the scope of God’s Kingdom and Christ’s church. Christianity predates America, and, unless Christ returns in the meantime, it will remain long after this great national experiment comes to a close. But, if we are to preserve and maintain this journey toward Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness, it will be empowered only by our surrender and loyalty to the Lord God Almighty.
I pray that you all have a safe and joyous Independence Day, celebrating 250 years of freedom and striving to reach the Founders’ ideals. And I look forward to seeing you the next day in worship, where true freedom and liberty are found.