**Freedom 250** – Why I Love America
Fifty years ago on July 4th, 1976, Shirley (my fiancee) and I were helping to coordinate The Spirit in ’76 rally near Philadelphia led by Leland Paris and YWAM Hammonton. Thousands gathered in the “birthplace of freedom” during that bicentennial year to thank God and intercede for the United States of America.
I have a large and beautiful Bicentennial Bible on my bookshelf that highlights the 200-year celebration. Shirley is now my wife of 50 years and Leland recently graduated to heaven at age 87.
This week we celebrate the 250 years of freedom of the most influential nation on earth.
I want the USA to bring glory to God for the next 250 years (if the Lord tarries).
Here’s why I love America.
Why I Love America
It’s frowned upon in some circles to say you love America or any nation. Not for me because my life’s main goal is to develop godly character.
And God is love (1 John 4:7,8).
Love takes many forms. Believers love God supremely. We love our spouse and children with familial affection. We love our friends–and even our pets. I also love dark chocolate and my wife’s amazing key lime pie.
All these objects require different kinds, depths, and expressions of love.
The Greek language contains five words for love. You’re probably familiar with agape (self-sacrificing), eros (sensual or sexual), and phileo love. The Spirit in ’76 Rally took place near Philadelphia which means “City of Brotherly Love.”
The English language simply uses the word “love,” which usually means feelings of affection or lust.
But virtuous love, true love of God and other human beings, demands more. In former times, it was defined as “willing the highest good of another.” I modernized the definition this way:
Love is choosing the best for another from God’s point of view.
I want the best for God (his glory), my family, neighbors, friends, state, nation, and world. Thus I love America. I want what’s best for her.
Don’t you? If not, why not?
We should love our home nation for many reasons. First is obedience to God:
Seek the peace and prosperity [good] of the city to which I have sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord on its behalf, because if it prospers, you too will prosper Jeremiah 29:7).
The other reasons relate to the cultural trinity of truth, goodness, and beauty which we see in our country.
I love America and am grateful (proud) to be an American.
Here’s why.
(Backed up with words from memorable American patriotic songs and writings.)
1.American History and Beginnings
There is nothing more noticeable in our history than God’s hand of Providence and blessing. One author describes in detail the Seven Miracles That Saved America— from Christopher Columbus to the protection of Ronald Reagan “by a fraction of an inch” (same as Donald Trump).
I have studied the primary sources of The Christian History of the U.S. Constitution. My first publisher, Russ Walton wrote the best-selling One Nation Under God, and Peter Marshall and David Manuel penned The Light and the Glory.
From the godly Pilgrims to today, America’s history is replete with God-beginnings and actions.
Our fathers’ God, to thee, Author of liberty, To thee we sing; Long may our land be bright, With freedom’s holy light; Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King (My Country Tis of Thee).
And who can forget the 1812 historical rumblings of our national anthem:
Oh, say can you see, By the dawn’s early light. What so proudly we hailed, At the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars. Through the perilous fight. O’er the ramparts we watched, Were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket’s red glare, The bombs bursting in air. Gave proof through the night
That our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free
And the home Of the brave?
2. American Forefathers/Heroes
Many amazing hero patriots adorn our heritage from the Pilgrims/Puritans, to George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and countless other founding fathers (see Eric Metaxas’ new book Revolution ). Abraham Lincoln saved the Union (and outlawed slavery). FDR brought us through World War II with fortitude and courage.
Over the past quarter millennium, an estimated 1.2 million soldiers have died as heroes fighting for our nation. They include my uncle Richard Boehme (The Bravest Boehme) who was shot down in 1945. How thankful we are for the wisdom of our founders and the greatness of those who sacrificed their lives for our liberty.
O beautiful for heroes proved, In liberating strife. Who more than self their country loved, And mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy gold refine. Till all success be nobleness. And every gain divine! (America the Beautiful).
3. American Revivals
I am a student of revivals, past and present. America’s two great awakenings (A Great Awakening movie), the Great Revival (1857), and revival streams in the 20th century Jesus Revolution stand out as some of the greatest national revivals in history. They made a great impact on American life and culture. A fourth great awakening may be stirring in the 21st century (next week’s blog).
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea. With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me; As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, while God is marching on. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on (Battle Hymn of the Republic).
4. American Faith
The USA is one of the most God-respecting and loving nations in history. For most of the past 250 years, a vast majority of our population expressed faith in God. Even in the midst of a current cultural civil war against faith, at least 62 percent of Americans still profess belief in the Almighty.
The USA has been the lead nation in world evangelism for the past century. Because we’ve lifted up Jesus Christ as Savior of the world, God’s blessing has rested upon us. For years I gave a message called “Why Is God Being Merciful to America?” to explain the importance of our faith. It’s unprecedented in world history.
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, UNDER GOD (emphasis mine), indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
5. American Law, Freedom, and Opportunity
More people emigrated to America instead of other countries (including my German and Swedish ancestors) over the past 250 years because we are “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France, is the towering symbol of our commitment to wise laws, justice, and freedom.
In the U.S. you can be can become anyone you want–from garbage truck driver to U.S. president. The “American experiment in liberty” has placed less limits on human freedom that any other nation.
That freedom is enshrined in our epic Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
6. American Diversity with Brotherhood
The United States is a global melting pot of with nearly every nation on earth represented. In some ways, we are a small preview of heaven where every tribe, kindred, and tongue will live harmoniously in God’s Presence.
“America” is a set of values or ideas on which all peoples can unite–not skin color or creeds.
America! America! God shed his grace on thee. And crown thy good with brotherhood. From sea to shining sea! (America the Beautiful).
7. American Character and Entrepreneurial Spirit
Because of our historic Protestant work ethic (character) and biblically based freedom, the USA has created many great inventors and entrepreneurs like Ben Franklin, Thomas Edison, Steve Jobs, and Elon Musk.
Though the United States is only 4% of the world’s population, we produce 26% of global GDP–because of our faith-based foundations and industry. Americans own eight of ten of the world’s largest companies (market capitalization).
O beautiful for pilgrim feet, Whose stern, impassioned stress. A thoroughfare for freedom beat, Across the wilderness! America! America! God mend thine every flaw. Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law! (America the Beautiful).
8. American Generosity & Sacrifice
The USA has been the world’s hegemony (dominant influencer/leader) for many decades. We give more monies and humanitarian aid to other nations than the rest of the world combined. We are a generous and caring nation who comes to the aid of other countries in distress (recent Venezuela earthquake relief).
We rebuilt Europe and Japan after World War II instead subjecting them to our rule (including the Marshall Plan). We give more money to world missions than any other country.
“America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great (Attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville).
9. American Beauty and Resources
The USA is blessed with a breathtaking variety of topography, natural beauty, and resources. We are now the world’s largest exporter of both oil and natural gas. Our national parks (Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite etc.) are among the most visited in the world.
Take a nature walk this weekend and enjoy and abundant beauty of the United States.
O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain. For purple mountain majesties, Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee. And crown thy good with brotherhood, From sea to shining sea!
10. American Destiny
Asia is viewed as the continent of origins (peoples, religions, etc.) Europe became the continent of cultural development (Western Civilization). America is rightly called the continent of propagation–of freedom, justice, and the Good News of Christ to the ends of the earth.
Our Manifest Destiny across the continent served as a trumpet blast of freedom:
Our fathers’ God, to thee, Author of liberty. To thee we sing; Long may our land be bright. With freedom’s holy light; Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King.
And from The Battle Hymn of the Republic, my favorite American patriotic hymn:
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea. With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me; As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free. While God is marching on. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.
For these and others reasons, I love my nation. I hope you love yours as well.
Love is a choice. We all have a part to play in prayer and action.
Happy 250th Birthday America!
May God continue to bless the United States of America.
