Favored Nation Status

“Righteousness exalts a nation: 

but sin is a reproach to any people.” 

(Proverbs 14:34)

I suppose most Americans want to see this country rise, be lifted up, exalted. According to this scripture passage, righteousness does that. One may say, “O.K. But we all have different ideas as to what ‘righteousness’ is.” So true. Since this statement comes from the Bible, let’s see what the Bible calls “righteousness.”

It is laid out in the Law of Moses, which, according to the Apostle Paul, no one can fully keep. (Romans 3:23) Even though we understand that it cannot be kept to God’s satisfaction, it is still probably a good thing to give it a shot. Is it possible that the degree to which we keep God’s Law is the degree to which our nation is blessed? That sounds logical, but according to the Word, that’s not how it works.

Paul says, “If Abraham were justified by works he would have something to boast about, but not before God. What does scripture say? Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:30) This is true for us too. If works justified America, she would have something to boast about, but not before God. If America believes God, it will be counted to her as righteousness. Our own good works are not enough to register as righteous and draw God’s blessing. Nice try, but no cigar. Sorry.

Jesus said, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees (those who make it their business to be righteous and keep the law) you shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” ( Matthew 5:20) That means if we would participate in the reign of God’s love, joy and peace, and perhaps see Old Glory raised on high, we must be more than we can possibly be. What a pickle. But there is abundant hope.

What is this nation-exalting righteousness? Simple: by faith, Christ is made unto us righteousness. (1 Corinthians 1:30) He is the “Lord our Righteousness.” (Jeremiah 23:6) He is the only righteousness that can exalt America. The more of Jesus Christ we have in America, the more America shall rise among the nations. The higher our faith in Him, the higher He will lift our country. David sings, “Surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:12) We can have no greater defense.

The more we rely on our own selves, our own ideas, our own works and our own powers, the more of a reproach our beloved land shall suffer. As Solomon warns, “They will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the bitter fruit of their own schemes, and devices.” (Proverbs 1:31) It is Wycliffe’s old translation of our lead verse that says, ”Sin makes the people into wretches.” And what is this wretch making sin? The Word tells us: “whatever is not from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23)

Now let’s paraphrase our leading verse in light of the rest of the Word. Faith in Christ exalts America, but faithlessness makes “we the people” wretched.

Are we talking about a theocracy? Of course not. A theocracy (much like atheiocracies) is just human-generated piety (self-righteousness) and ideology imposed on other humans. It is not of God. God’s righteousness sways the heart of those who trust Him, freeing them, and making them a blessing to the land…any land.