I know not all of my readers are from the USA, but if you are, I wish you a great 4th of July and encourage you to remember what this day is really about. Not fireworks, not barbeques — freedom.
Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. Freedom to assemble.
To my writers, we must consider how fantastic it is that we have free speech. I can post my opinions and my values here and share them with others, whether they’re popular or not. And while our speech is certainly not as free as the Founding Fathers intended, it is still a huge blessing that we have not fallen to the levels of other countries. People are persecuted for their viewpoints in the media and even in the courts, but it could be far worse.
We also have freedom of religion and the freedom to assemble, though both are under attack. Companies create rules against ‘proselytizing’ and federal mandates shut down churches. But that shouldn’t stop us as Christians from spreading the most wonderful news in the world. A rousing speech from my youth pastor reminded me this week of just how powerful and special the Gospel is. We might hesitate to share it, drag our feet, wonder how others will view us. But if you knew that the building was about to be bombed, of course you’d yell it out for all to hear no matter what, and ultimately, the matter of eternal salvation is far more significant. Not that we should treat the Gospel like a blunt baseball bat and go around whacking people with it. It should be delivered in love, and with thought for the individual receiving it, because unlike the news of impending bombs, it’s good. The best.
This country was built with freedom from tyranny in mind. With self-government and strong communities. It’s sad when we reflect on what it’s become today, with tax laws and codes more unfair and complicated than the Stamp Act and a bigger bureaucracy than anything in England in 1776. Salvaging it seems nigh impossible.
But ultimately, it comes down to the people. The ones running the system. The morals and agendas acted on. As John Adams said,
“Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
Ultimately, change starts small. Government won’t change until the hearts of people do. And hearts can’t change without the Gospel.
It’s good to celebrate our country, remember our history, fly the flag proudly. We know our country’s not great — but we can remember what it was meant to be and strive to return it to that state: a Christian nation. A nation founded on Biblical truth. And that starts in the souls of her people. In the souls of your coworkers. In the souls of your readers. In the souls of your classmates.
You have freedoms given to you by God, not the government. Use them, and spread the best news the world has ever heard.
God bless you all.
Cheers.
Amen!