Christian Unity

America is increasingly becoming intolerant of Christian viewpoints. This is nowhere more evident than in the entertainment and news media, who react with disdain to any public official who hints that their governing decisions will be influenced by what they believe about God. But it has not always been so. Following is a sampling of some quotes by great American leaders of the past:

George Washington

“It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.”

“It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favors.”

Abraham Lincoln

“Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right”

“The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong.”
— September 1862 – Meditation on the Divine Will

“If God now wills the removal of a great wrong, and wills also that we of the North as well as you of the South, shall pay fairly for our complicity in that wrong, impartial history will find therein new cause to attest and revere the justice and goodness of God.”— April 4, 1864 – Letter to Albert Hodges

“We hoped for a happy termination of this terrible war long before this; but God knows best, and has ruled otherwise. We shall yet acknowledge His wisdom and our own error therein.” — September 4, 1864 – Letter to Eliza Gurney

Franklin D. Roosevelt

“As Americans, we go forward, in the service of our country, by the will of God.”

“With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy.” — D-Day prayer

“Thy will be done, Almighty God.” — Closing to D-Day prayer

John F. Kennedy

“I believe that God has a plan.”

“The world is a very different now…and yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe–the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.” — Inaugural address

“And, therefore, as we set sail we ask God’s blessing on the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked.” — Inaugural address

“Our goal is not the victory of might, but the vindication of right-not peace at the expense of freedom, but both peace and freedom, here in this hemisphere, and, we hope, around the world. God willing, that goal will be achieved.” — July 4, 1962

America has changed dramatically since the days of those leaders. A politician saying such things in today’s world can expect to be held up to ridicule by the media and the modern pop culture. Our culture has become ashamed of Christ and Christian values. That should not come as a surprise to Christians:

1Jo 3:13 Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.

2Ti 3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
2Ti 3:13 while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Neither should Christians yield to anti-Christian pressure from the surrounding culture. That kind of reaction should not knock Christians off our stride. We are citizens of a different country:

Heb 11:13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
Heb 11:14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.

Occasionally a leader will buck the trend, and not back down from displaying his or her convictions publicly. It is a good thing when government officials seek to follow the will of God. But when the media ridicules them for doing so, Christians should not be surprised.