AMERICA, AMERICA!

We have recently celebrated our country's 200th birthday. As we enter on her third century together, it is good to think of spiritual values and realities as they bear on the affairs of state. This lesson looks at part of our Pledge of Allegiance, in the light of the Scriptures.

Body

I. America has been uniquely blessed and accomplished in the history of the world: materially, scientifically, educationally. Such blessings call for an appropriate response to the Creator.

   A. "One nation, under God."

        1. It is proper that we acknowledge God as the Sovereign Ruler over our nation (John 19:10, 11; Daniel 2:20, 21; Revelation 1:5).

        2. Christians in any country have duties "under God" to their government (Romans 13:1-3; I Timothy 2:1-3; Acts 5:29).

   B. "With liberty..."

        1. Man is made in God's image. This biblical truth is the foundation for human honor and individual dignity. It is the cornerstone of civil "equality."

        2. The Bible respects the rights of individuals to choose their own course. Even God does not compel (Joshua 24:15; Revelation 22:17).

   C. "And justice for all."

        1. We have not always lived up to this ideal but at least we confess it with our mouths. God blesses a nation which makes this its aim.

        2. Scripture demands the practice of impartial justice (Proverbs 14:34; Amos 5:24; Micah 6:6-8).

II. These principles must be more than words. It is not enough to say them and fail to put them into practice.

III. America has had great sins before God, in spite of her abundant blessings.

   A. It might be argued whether the War of Independence was not in fact a revolutionary war against a government ordained by God. There are two sides to this question.

   B. Murder and theft against the Indians paved the road of expansion from the coast across the land.

   C. The industrial revolution was built on the sweat and tears of exploited workers, particularly of the women and children. Many of the giants of progress were indicted by the words of James 5:1-6.

   D. Slavery was an abomination to the Lord, and con tinued discrimination stinks in His nostrils.

   E. Modem political wars and unjust foreign policy go contrary to every principle of holiness and compassion.

   F. Internally, our country has seen perversion of justice by the courts, the abuse of power by executives, and immorality in the halls of Congress. Such sins clearly ought to be denounced by godly citizens of every political persuasion.

   G. The greed-motive has been built into much of the modem ethic of "success." Many principles of worldly success are indeed taught in Scripture, but the underlying definition of true success is service and humility, not self-advancement at any cost.

   H. As a people, our citizens are often guilty of gross ingratitude. View the millions who spend the Lord's Day in selfish pleasure if not outright sin, rather than in worship and thanksgiving to their Creator.

   I. We have often shown a dependence on military strength and treaties rather than on Almighty God. The security of America does not depend on newer bombers and more agreements; it depends solely on the will of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

IV. Yet we proclaim as pillars of our nation the very principles which often have called us into judgment. Unlike totalitarian systems, we work toward these goals and purge our own government, at least to some extent, of its sins.

V. We stand, therefore, this day in both blessing and judgment. God's word to His own covenant people (in our time, Christians) is found in II Chronicles 7:14.

Conclusion

The sentiment of dependence, humility and repentance toward which this lesson calls us, is well expressed in the song "America." If it is in the congregation's hymnal, the preacher might ask here that it be sung; if it is not, he might want to read the words to the congregation.

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