The apostle Paul was Jewish; but, being born in Tarsus, he was also a Roman citizen. He used that citizenship to his advantage. Several times it protected him from unjust beatings and death threats. Paul used his citizenship not just for personal protection, but to open opportunities to preach the gospel and to write Bible books while under Roman protection. Check Acts 16:37-39; 21:35-40; 22:22-30; 23:27; 25:9-12; 26:27-32; 28:17-20; 28:30-31.
As we celebrate the 4th of July, we are mindful of our privileged condition. American citizenship affords us many freedoms and protections for which most of the world only dreams. Like Paul, let us use our rights as an advantage in spreading the gospel.
A free and peaceful environment provides an atmosphere favorable to sharing the gospel. I Timothy 2:1-4 instructs, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” Let us so pray and so live and so save others while we can.
Earthly citizenship is a temporary benefit. Far more important is eternal citizenship in heaven. The Bible promises us “a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come” (Hebrews 11:16-17). Philippians 3:20-21 assures us: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
Our Liberty Bell is inscribed, “Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof.” This is a Scripture quote (Leviticus 25:10), which more correctly refers to the liberty given to us by God. In truth, the liberties we enjoy in America were founded in the liberty we have in Christ. Many Americans today do not know that. Without Christ and Christian principles America would be a very different place, a less free land. So let us use our present liberty to good advantage to proclaim to all the Land the true liberty in Christ.