Freedom with Eyes Wide Open

 

As we celebrate the freedoms we enjoy this 4th of July, let us not only wave flags and light fireworks—but also open our eyes. A true love for one’s country includes both gratitude and honest reflection. Blind nationalism is not patriotism. True love must also correct and protect, especially when we see moral erosion in the name of liberty.

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
—Philippians 3:20, ESV
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God…”
—Romans 13:1, ESV

As Christians, we live with dual citizenship:

• We are Americans by birth or naturalization.
• We are citizens of heaven by the grace of God.

We are commanded to respect our government (Romans 13:1–7), while also remembering it is temporary and imperfect. When governments function justly, they are God's servants for our good. When they do not, we are called to stand firm in truth, never compromising the values of Christ.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
—Romans 3:23, ESV

C.S. Lewis warned of the “chronological snobbery” of assuming our generation or nation is morally superior simply because it is modern or powerful.
Charles Spurgeon echoed similar concerns, saying,

“It is not humility to underrate yourself. Humility is to think of yourself rightly, and not more highly than you ought.”

America has done much good in the world, but it has also made grievous errors—some perpetuated by a false sense of being “chosen” or “exceptional.” These failings, whether rooted in racism, economic greed, or political corruption, reveal our shared human condition: we are fallen, and we need God's direction.

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
—Genesis 1:27, ESV
“He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth…”
—Acts 17:26, ESV

Let us be reminded this 4th of July:
We are not divided into multiple races. We are one human race, with different pigments, cultures, and stories—but all made in the image of God.

Prejudice and division distort this divine image. National pride should never exalt our identity over our unity in Christ or our shared human dignity.

The Constitution and the Bill of Rights provide a beautiful structure for liberty and justice. But these rights are not license to do as we please.

The First Amendment protects speech, religion, press, and assembly—but not when they threaten the life, liberty, or safety of others. This aligns with Scripture:

“For you were called to freedom... only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
—Galatians 5:13, ESV

Your rights end where another’s begin.
This legal truth echoes God’s moral design:

• Freedom is not unrestrained self-expression.
• Freedom is the ability to choose righteousness without compulsion.

Our legal system, grounded in biblical ideas of justice, understands that freedom without accountability leads to chaos.

“If you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain.”
—Romans 13:4, ESV

Those who violate the law forfeit certain rights to protect the common good. This is not oppression; it is justice, rooted in the dignity of all people and the protection of the vulnerable.

Let us be grateful for the rights we enjoy as Americans:

• Freedom to worship.
• Freedom to speak.
• Freedom to build a life without fear of tyranny.

But let us also be watchful. The freedoms our Constitution guarantees are only safe if we, the people, are governed by virtue and truth.

Spurgeon once warned:

“When a nation glories in its shame, the end is near.”

Lewis added:

“The most dangerous ideas in a society are not the ones being argued, but the ones that are assumed.”

May we never assume we are beyond correction. May we hold tightly to both gratitude and truth, to patriotism and repentance.

We are privileged to live in this country. And we must be willing, if the day comes again, to stand for the original foundations—not merely of land and politics—but of liberty guided by God’s truth.

We are one race, created in one image, in desperate need of one Savior.
Let us be a people who reflect that in how we celebrate, how we vote, how we speak, and how we love.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
—Proverbs 14:34, ESV

 

“Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”
—1 Peter 2:17, ESV

This verse comes in the context of Peter's teaching about living as sojourners and exiles (v. 11) in a world that is not our eternal home, yet still being respectful, honorable citizens who reflect Christ’s character even under unjust rulers. To “honor” in Greek, timaō (τιμάω), means to assign value, to esteem or respect. This is not about agreeing with or liking everyone, but treating all people with dignity as image-bearers of God (Genesis 1:27).
It reflects universal human dignity, regardless of status, belief, or morality.  This love is not emotional but sacrificial, agapē-type love—committed, intentional, and covenantal. While we are to honor all, we are to deeply love the Church, our fellow believers--ἀδελφότητα (adelphotēta) = “brotherhood,” community of believers (John 13:34–35).  This is reverent awe, not terror. The verb phobeomai (φοβέομαι) can mean fear, respect, or reverence depending on the context. To “fear God” means to live in holy awareness of His power, authority, and holiness—submitting all other allegiances to Him first (Proverbs 1:7).  This is the same word used earlier for “honor everyone,” but it’s specifically applied to the head of state here. In Peter’s time, this likely referred to Nero, a tyrannical and anti-Christian ruler. Yet even then, believers were told to respect the position, if not the person, unless doing so contradicted God’s law (Acts 5:29).