Our greatest enemy is ourselves. Our greatest battle is within us. We are born and raised in a fallen world, and we carry with us years of emotional baggage. Yes, the Lord can take all that away, but we hold on to much of it with the tenacity of a bull dog. Jesus offers us new life, but still we bring the old life along for the ride. Much of our trials and troubles come, not from the enemy, but from ourselves. And so we battle, day by day, on a battlefield of our own creation, within our own spirit.
As Americans, we are born into the richest nation on earth. We are all princes in this kingdom of freedom and democracy. Throughout our life we are nurtured in an opulence that borders on being sinful. Our culture is one of "conspicuous consumption". We are taught "blessing equals piety", and that we have plenty, because we please GOD. Our national image is our testament to a divine call. We rule the world, all bow down to our will, the will of the people. "for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow." This is our heritage; arrogance, selfishness, self-righteousness, rebellion. It is what we are, who we are, our national image.
And what would GOD have us be? Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Mat 5:3-12 KJV) That's un-American !
So we fight to overcome, not just our present fallen culture, which embraces abortion, homosexuality, adultry, drunkenness, and sin in general, but our national heritage. We are, by nature, a rebellious, narcisistic, people. We prize individuality, and achievement, above all else. We measure success by power. Trust me, its not about money, its power. Power and control. The interesting thing is, we have been able to "christianize" all this, and stamp GOD's blessing on it. We have turned the Gospel inside out, until it has become our own. We have created a democratic gospel, a doctrine of personal freedom and individual rights. We no longer feel compelled to stand under GOD's judgement, but have even brought GOD under our judgement. His WORD must now stand our test of justice and fairness.
If we are "good" people, then GOD must bless (read enrich) us. If we have trouble, then we must be "out of His will". The homeless must not be "christian", or GOD would take care of them. If you are sick, you must lack faith. "Claim the blessing", "Claim the victory". But who are we to "claim" anything from GOD. Does the clay make demands on the potter? Can the creation bind the Creator by its will?
So we battle against our own nature, but the Scripture teaches us that, if we would listen. We are not the first to have natures opposed to the Gospel, nor the first to try and bend the Gospel to fit our desires. Our flesh has ever been the enemy of righteousness. This is not new, and our sin is neither greater or lesser than those who have gone before. Our battle is the same as theirs. We battle ourselves. Through destruction of our Self, we gain the victory.
We must lay the baggage down, and take up the Cross. We must lose our individuality for our true identity as part of the One Body. We must lay down our personal freedom and take up the bonds of Christ. We must put aside our own welfare for the benefit of the "least of these" our brothers. We must die to our selves and live for Christ.
Freedom, individuality, and democracy, are nobel political goals that promote the greater good. We are the greatest nation on earth, in spite of our sins and excesses. But this is not the basis of the Gospel of Grace. We are called as Slaves of Christ, to suffer injustice meekly, men of no power, no riches, no place in this world. We are called to be servants of all. Our riches are not of this world, our worth not measured by the same scale. We stand as a living sacrifice, giving up all for our GOD. We are not "American", we are citizens of Heaven.