The Freedom America Is Missing

[Steve Myers] What is America's greatest danger?

Well, as America celebrates its 250th anniversary, it's natural to look back with gratitude for freedom, for opportunity, sacrifice, and of course, national blessings. But is America's greatest danger political division, debt, military weakness, or its enemies?

The Bible points to something more subtle. The danger of celebrating freedom while forgetting God.

Now, every Fourth of July, America lights up the sky with fireworks and flags and parades, patriotic songs, and families getting together. There is so much to be thankful for. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, opportunity, prosperity, security, those are all real blessings. But the fireworks fade, the flags come down, the music stops.

And the deeper question remains, are you really free?

A nation can declare independence and yet still live in bondage. You can live in a free country and still be enslaved. You can have laws protecting liberty and still be trapped by fear, anxiety, anger, addiction, broken relationships, and the consequences of sin.

Jesus said in John 8:34,"Most assuredly I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin." Now, that's a challenging statement. Christ says, "The greatest slavery isn't political. It's spiritual." And that means the freedom America needs most is not supplied by a government, by an election, or by an economy, or even even a military. The deepest chains are not the ones on your hands. They're the ones on your heart.

So, what can you do?

Christ gives a hopeful answer. John 8:36 says, "Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." Now, that's the freedom you need. That's the freedom America needs. But there's a danger. America can celebrate freedom and still forget the God who makes true freedom possible.

That's the warning God gave ancient Israel before they entered the promised land. In Deuteronomy 8:11, God said, "Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments, his judgments, and his statutes." You see, forgetting God isn't just forgetting that he exists. It's forgetting his commandments. It's forgetting his authority. It's forgetting his way of life.

You see, God knew prosperity could lift up the human heart. Israel would eat and they'd be full. They'd build beautiful houses. Their wealth would increase. Life would be comfortable. And then, well, then they'd begin to think, "We did this. We earned this. Our power, our wisdom, our greatness brought us these blessings." Does that sound familiar?

America has been blessed with resources and wealth and technology, military strength, global influence, but blessings from God are not unconditional approval. God can bless a nation and still hold that nation accountable.

Proverbs 14:34 says, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."

Now, that applies to any nation, not just ancient Israel, not just nations long ago. Every nation, even today, you see, righteousness lifts up a nation. Sin tears it down. And freedom without righteousness cannot survive. Freedom without God eventually becomes freedom from God.

Now that brings it back to you. Have you remembered God? Are you thanking Him for your blessings? Are you seeking Him in his word? Are you living by His commandments? Or have you become so busy enjoying the blessings that you've forgotten the One who gave them? Now you can enjoy God's gifts and yet still forget the giver.

You see, freedom is not the right to do whatever you want. Freedom is the opportunity to do what is right. And what is right is defined by God. Not by culture, not by politics, not by personal opinion.

Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commandments." That includes the commandment God specifically said to remember. Exodus 20:8 says, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." You see, the Saturday Sabbath is a gift, a weekly reminder that true liberty comes from God. And it gives you the time, the time to to step away from the noise, the pressure, the the distractions of life and focus on the one who made you, who calls you, and who offers you real freedom through Jesus Christ.

So, you might not be able to turn a nation around, but you can turn your heart around to God. You can change. You can remember him. You can open your Bible and keep His commandments. You can honor His Sabbath. And you can live with gratitude instead of pride and seek first the Kingdom of God. That's where real hope begins. Because the blessings of any nation are temporary.

Wealth can fade, power can shift, freedom can be lost, nations can rise and nations can fall. But the Kingdom of God is forever. And you know, the greatest independence day is is still ahead. The day Jesus Christ returns and frees this world from sin, from deception, from war and suffering. And that's the freedom America needs. That's the freedom the world needs. And that's the freedom God is calling you to begin living now.