“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” (Psalm 33:12)
We can enjoy blessings for so long that we begin to forget how precious they are.
We gather for church on Sunday morning without asking the government for permission. We open our Bibles. We preach the Gospel. We send missionaries. We teach our children the Word of God. We pray publicly. We tell others about Christ.
These freedoms are so much a part of our lives that it is easy to assume they will always be there.
But religious liberty is not self-perpetuating. For more than five decades, the Christian Law Association has had the privilege of standing beside pastors, churches, Christian schools, missionaries, and individual believers whose religious liberties were threatened. Again and again, we have been reminded that rights that are not understood are easily surrendered, and freedoms that are not defended are quickly lost.
That is why Christians should be informed and participate responsibly in our communities. We should vote. We should respectfully speak the truth. And when government exceeds its constitutional authority, we should be willing to stand for the liberties God has allowed us to enjoy. But there is something else we must never forget.
America’s greatest need cannot be solved at the ballot box.
Government can protect our freedom to preach the Gospel, but government cannot make the Gospel powerful. A court can protect the right of a church to assemble, but a court cannot bring revival to that church. An election can change those who hold public office, but only God can change the human heart. The Psalmist prayed, “Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” (Psalm 85:6)
Revival has always been God’s work among God’s people. So as we defend religious liberty, let us also use it. If we are free to pray—let us pray. If we are free to preach—let us preach. If we are free to witness—let us witness. If we are free to train our children in the things of God—let us do it faithfully. If the doors of our churches are open—let us fill them.
The Christian Law Association will continue to stand wherever God gives us opportunity to defend the religious liberties of His people. But our ultimate prayer is not merely that America remains free. Our prayer is that God’s people will faithfully use that freedom for Him. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” (Galatians 5:1a)