by J. Randal Matheny

Americans today celebrate 227 years of political freedom. One organization which measures freedom in countries around the world claims that more people enjoy greater liberties today than at any other time in history, in part because of Americans' efforts at home and abroad.

Every nation which enjoys some degree of freedom does well to commemorate and remember the responsibilities of citizenship.

Though Americans celebrate July 4th in a unique way, the moment serves to remind us all, regardless of nationality,

(1) That Christian values make good government. As Patrick Henry said, "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ!" The old saw is still true that "America is great because America is good." Remove the goodness, and the greatness will tumble. This is true, not only of the USA, but of any country that would adopt Christian principles.

(2) That Christians make good citizens. Social and economic progress and political stability are served by the qualities of honesty, thrift, hard work, and integrity. Christians also understand true justice. As an example, slavery in England and the USA was abolished because of people who insisted upon the Christian truth that all people are created equal.

(3) That Christian faith thrives in any social or political climate. One does not need democracy, as we know it, to live in Christ nor to preach the gospel. As thankful as we may be for the democratic process, the Way was born under foreign domination and spread throughout an Empire, under diverse and often harsh conditions.

(4) That Christian freedom in the Lord Jesus Christ is eternal. Nations rise and fall, freedoms wax and wane, political systems come into vogue and disappear, but "[i]t was for freedom that Christ set us free" (Gal. 5:1 NASU). The phrase "for freedom," according to Kenneth Boles, "emphasizes the permanency of the new status" and, as J.W. McGarvey notes, indicates "the very design that we should cherish and enjoy our freedom."*

Indeed, in Christ we are set from sin and its consequences to enjoy the wonderful, full, and lasting liberty of relationship with God. Such freedom is a daily celebration and causes constant gratitude.

*Kenneth L. Boles, Galatians & Ephesians, The College Press NIV Commentary, p. 123; J. W. McGarvey and Philip Y. Pendleton, Thessalonians, Corinthians, Galatians and Romans, p. 279.