Dear fellow Americans,
On this occasion of our nation’s 250th celebration of freedom, we must face some hard realities about where we stand as a nation. Americans need to leave Vanity Fair–to borrow John Bunyan’s picture of a world intoxicated with vanity and rebellion against God–and return to the foundation for civil and political freedom that was laid for this country by the largely Christian heritage of our nation, especially its Protestant and Reformed influences that it wants so desperately to forget about today. 1
Not every American personally professed saving faith in Christ in 1776, but no one can deny the Christian foundation and widespread knowledge of the Bible that was ingrained in major figures and the common people at that time.
That does not mean that every practice was right nor every decision sinless; nevertheless, there remained a widespread conviction that civil liberty depended upon public virtue and moral responsibility. That is a conviction that is becoming more and more rare in our society, and the results are proving to be catastrophic.
The Harvard historian, George Bancroft, acknowledged these roots when he said this about the influence of the Genevan Reformer, John Calvin: “He that will not honor the memory and respect the influence of Calvin knows but little of the origin of American liberty.”2
The Declaration of Independence arguably alludes to the God revealed by creation and the Holy Bible when it says, “We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions…” This language very closely echoes the biblical description of God as the Judge of all the earth (Genesis 18:25). They also clearly acknowledge a belief in a God involved in the affairs of this world, when it says, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” 3
This language is hard to reconcile with a purely deistic view of a higher being detached from this world’s affairs. While some of the Founders undoubtedly held views influenced by deism, the language of the Declaration itself is indebted to biblical language about providence, divine judgment, and moral accountability.
Many like to debate the faith of men such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, among others. Whether they were truly converted men or not, they were shaped by a Christian heritage and culture that profoundly influenced their thinking and decisions about the formation of our nation.
Samuel Adams, a major leader at that time, understood something that many modern Americans have almost entirely forgotten. He understood that enduring civil liberty flows from public virtue and that true virtue flows from true religion as revealed by God.
Many examples could be cited, but consider these few statements from Samuel Adams.
“Religion and good morals are the only solid foundation of public liberty and happiness.”4
“While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.”5
“The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy this gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people.” In this context, Adams is referring to the gift of civil liberty.6
This 4th of July, I pray that we will all see the need for a positive return to the good aspects of our nation’s heritage. I pray that we will not close our eyes to the fact that our nation is rapidly rushing along in the wrong direction.
It appears that, unless we seriously reflect on our wickedness and repent, we are rapidly headed toward the destination of many ancient civilizations. That destination is destruction.
But where is true religion, the root of true and lasting virtue, found?
It is not found in a certain political party. It is not found in a president. It is not found in a mere church affiliation and attendance.
True religion consists in knowing the one true and living, triune God through the person and work of the eternal Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 17:3
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”7
This is why Scripture teaches that man must be born again. And the greatest need of the majority of Americans today is not merely political or mere moral reformation, but spiritual regeneration in heart and reconciliation to God through Jesus Christ.
John 3:3
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
It is increasingly evident that hypocrisy and corruption have consumed much of our political leadership and our society in general.
As a whole, our society is full of anything except virtue. Vice, not virtue, is now not only tolerated but celebrated. Virtue seems to be intolerable to many and, at best, selective for others.
I pray that the true Christians will lament before God and cry out for our nation’s repentance from all the abominable activities that are allowed to take place in our nation.
Many may be offended by this post. Many may accuse me of being “negative” during what is intended to be a “positive occasion”. I simply cannot and will not ignore the “writing on the wall”.
It is my obligation to warn you from the Word of God that this type of condition in a country is not unnoticed or ignored by God. He will visit this country with more judgment if we do not see a change.
Does Holy Scripture have anything to say about such a condition in a nation? There are, in fact, many passages that would address such a condition, but just consider some of the words of God to ancient Israel through Jeremiah the prophet.
Though spoken long ago to a particular ancient nation in covenant with God, they reveal the unchanging character of God and His righteous hatred against wickedness, especially national wickedness. No nation that would so behave should imagine itself exempt from God’s righteous judgment. (Leviticus 18:24-25)
Jeremiah 5:1-4
“Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.
And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely.
O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.
Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God.”
Jeremiah 5:9
“Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?”
Jeremiah 6:10-19
“To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.
Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.
And their houses shall be turned unto others, with their fields and wives together: for I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD.
For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them.
Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.”
These words were intended to sober and awaken the nation of Israel in Jeremiah’s time, but, sadly, they rejected them and chose rather to listen to themselves and the false prophets that abounded.
What will you do today?
Will you take God’s word seriously or mock and laugh at such warnings? The destruction of our nation should not be the only concern for you today, but the destruction of your soul in hell if you do not have a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Mark 8:36
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
I desire that everyone who reads this will not simply know temporary civil freedom in this life as an American, but true, lasting spiritual freedom in Jesus Christ as a disciple.
The Lord Jesus said in John 8:31-32,
“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
He also said in John 14:6
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
And in John 3:36 we read,
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
Don’t turn to the many false foundations for freedom. Turn to Christ alone.
In Him alone is found the ground for the forgiveness of sins and perfect righteousness before God, the Father.
True freedom, life, liberty, and happiness are only found in Christ.
Colossians 1:16
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him”
Your servant for Christ’s Sake,
Pastor Logan Elder
Orlando Free Presbyterian Church
- John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress (1678), Vanity Fair. ↩︎
- George Bancroft, Literary and Historical Miscellanies (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1855), 406. ↩︎
- The Declaration of Independence. Philadelphia, July 4, 1776. ↩︎
- Samuel Adams to John Trumbull, 4 February 1778, in Harry Alonzo Cushing, ed., The Writings of Samuel Adams, Vol. III (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1906). ↩︎
- Samuel Adams to James Warren, 12 February 1779, in Harry Alonzo Cushing, ed., The Writings of Samuel Adams, Vol. IV (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1908). ↩︎
- Samuel Adams, Proclamation for a Day of Public Thanksgiving, 20 November 1795, in Harry Alonzo Cushing, ed., The Writings of Samuel Adams, Vol. IV (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1908) ↩︎
- All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. ↩︎
Well said Logan. My prayers are that we will awaken as a nation to these truths. God be merciful to the USA.