America’s Greatest Need This Independence Weekend
This week, Americans gather around grills, fireworks, and family tables to celebrate freedom. We hear again the bold words of Patrick Henry in 1775 at the Virginia Convention: “Give me liberty or give me death.” These words roused a generation to stand against tyranny, rallying the colonies to break free from imperial rule, unfair taxation, and forced religion. Yet today, we must ask: what is freedom without righteousness?
Freedom Without Righteousness Is Only Rebellion Dressed in Red, White, and Blue.
We wave our flags, sing patriotic songs, and rightly give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy. But if we are honest, America stands on a dangerous precipice – not of economic collapse or military defeat – but of moral decay. What truly holds a nation together is not economic freedom or political liberty, but righteousness rooted in Christ. The church that stands firmly upon God’s Word and the truth of Jesus Christ is the glue that holds this nation from crumbling. Our forefathers understood this when they wove references to God into our founding documents – from the Declaration of Independence to the Constitution. They recognized that liberty apart from the Creator quickly descends into chaos.
So, what is America’s greatest peril, greatest enemy, greatest asset, and greatest opportunity today?
America’s Greatest Peril: Sin
Romans 6:23 reminds us that “the wages of sin is death.” Sin is not merely a private matter; it is a nation-destroying cancer. The greatest peril facing any person or nation is not external threats but internal rebellion against God. America is in moral decline not simply because of social or political forces but because of spiritual rebellion. We like to blame politicians, movements, and cultural changes. Yet God’s Word reminds us to look inward. Adam and Eve’s downfall in Genesis 3 was not due to an external army but their own sin. Israel’s corruption in Exodus 32 came not from an invading nation but from their own idolatry.
The Greatest Threat to a Nation Is Not from Without, But from Within – From Sin.
Before we point fingers outward, we must kneel in repentance inward. We have a forgiving God, but do we go before Him daily, broken for the sins of our land and our own hearts?
America’s Greatest Enemy: Satan
Our greatest enemy is not China, Russia, or radical ideologies – it is Satan himself. Isaiah 14:12 describes his rebellion, and Genesis 3:4 shows his deception as he twisted God’s Word to tempt Eve. Later, in Exodus 32:8, we see him lead Israel astray into idolatry even after they had been rescued from Egypt.
Satan’s strategy has not changed. He loves to distort God’s Word and distract God’s people with the temporary pleasures of sin. Hebrews 11:25 reminds us that Moses chose to endure suffering rather than enjoy “the passing pleasures of sin.” Satan weakens a nation by weakening its people’s walk with God. Discernment, faith, knowledge of Scripture, and a deep desire to please God are our frontline defense against his schemes.
America’s Greatest Asset: The Righteousness of Christ
Proverbs 14:34 declares, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Righteousness is not self-righteousness; it is being right in the eyes of God through Jesus Christ alone. Amid decay, God always preserves a remnant who remain faithful to Him.
Abraham pleaded with God to spare Sodom if only ten righteous could be found (Genesis 18:26-32). Lot was rescued because of God’s mercy toward the righteous (Genesis 19). Today, the righteousness of Christ in His people restrains evil, holding back the rise of the antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7). One righteous remnant can hold back a flood of judgment.
Are We That Righteous Remnant?
Are we living in such a way that America sees Christ through us? This leads to our greatest opportunity.
America’s Greatest Opportunity: The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Revelation 5:9 paints a vision of every tribe, tongue, and nation worshiping Jesus. America’s hope is not economic or social reform. It is spiritual transformation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our calling is to hear it, heed it, and herald it to a nation desperate for truth.
America will only be truly great when it seizes eternity through Christ.
Conclusion
Sin and Satan will be crushed not by our politics, military, or culture wars, but by the righteousness, Gospel, and presence of Jesus Christ. We have a role to play. In 1732, Moravian missionaries Johann Dober and David Nitschmann sold themselves into slavery to bring the Gospel to the enslaved on Caribbean islands. As they left the shore, they cried out, “May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.” Two years later, others returned and found over 13,000 waiting to be baptized.
What about us?
Are we part of the righteous remnant exalting Christ?
Will we seize the opportunity to share the only message that saves?
America’s hope is not found in Washington DC, on Wall Street, or in state capitols. It is found at the Cross of Calvary, where Jesus gave everything for us. May we give Him everything in return.