As we celebrate our great country today, let me encourage you to not get distracted by those who would have you believe that somehow as a follower of Christ that you cannot love your God and be grateful for your country in balance. What an incredible gift of God’s grace to give us the United States of America! The common grace of God both provided this country to us and manifests itself in all this country does for people all over these United States and the world. Through it, the Gospel has profited. Under it, the Gospel has been propagated. In it, the Gospel has been proclaimed. As a follower of Christ, we should be most grateful for this country in balance.
Love the Lord Your God
As Christians, we love the Lord our God with all our mind, soul, body, strength, and in every other way (Matthew 22:37-38). All our loyalty lies in God, Who saved us through the sacrificial, substitutional atonement of Jesus Christ. We seek to be like Christ (Ephesians 5:1-2) as we strive to live worthy of the Gospel each day (Ephesians 4:1-6).
Our loyalty to anything other than God through Jesus Christ as empowered by the Holy Spirit and enlightened by the Holy Bible should pale in comparison. We are citizens of a heavenly kingdom (Philippians 3:20-21). Consider what Jesus said:
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26-27).
In comparison to your love for anything or anyone else (as well as your own self), our love for God should dwarf our love for anything else. Simply stated: Jesus is our only Savior, God our only God, and the Spirit our only Comforter and Enabler.
Be Grateful for Your Country in Balance
In God’s kindness and providence, He allowed us in His plan to be Americans too. What a joy that He has allowed us in His plan to live now, here, and better than any people in history. We enjoy religious freedom, prosperity, and opportunity. Again, do not fall prey to those who would seek to guilt you over all the benefits and privileges each American enjoys. God has filled this place with goodness, of which each person gets some measure.
Is America perfect? Heavens, no. Could our country do better? Yes.
Until Jesus comes back, every country and every person in every country will have room to grow, change, make things better, and seek to love God supremely and love others sincerely with more consistency.
On the other hand, do not let those places where we or our ancestors have failed to do it perfectly (and sometimes even well) distract you from a heart of gratitude. Again, no people group in the world has done better or greater in these past almost 250 years than this nation. Better for people in general. Better for the Gospel worldwide.
Where we discern we have not done well in the past or are not doing well now, then work diligently inside the freedom we have and with the provisions God supplies to do better as those who love their neighbors sincerely.
Pray for God to Bless America and Americans
As followers of Jesus Christ who are loyal to Him, we should pray for God to bless America and Americans. As a nation and as individual citizens, God has used us in so many ways that reflect His goodness. We have sought to help, care for, and otherwise benefit the world of individuals around us. Are we perfect? No. Can we continue to do better? Of course. It is for these very reasons, we ask God to indeed continue to bless America and her citizens. Through these people and her efforts, may God continue to provide His common grace for all. And for all of us, love God and be grateful for your country in balance.
Image Credit Kevin Carson
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
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