Liberty Under God

America's greatest strength has never been found in her military, economy, or political system alone. From the earliest days of the colonies through the founding of the Republic, many of America's leaders looked to the Bible as the source of wisdom, justice, liberty, and righteousness.

As you celebrate Independence Day, spend seven days reading the passages that shaped the hearts of many of the men who helped build our nation and the preachers who boldly defended religious liberty.

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD." — Psalm 33:12

Day 1 — True Liberty

Read

• Leviticus 25:8–13
• John 8:31–36
• Galatians 5:1

Key Verse

"Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof..." (Leviticus 25:10)

The Liberty Bell bears these very words. America's greatest liberty is found first in Jesus Christ.

Day 2 — Blessed Is the Nation

Read

• Psalm 33
• Psalm 144
• Proverbs 14

Key Verse

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD..." (Psalm 33:12)

This verse was quoted and preached repeatedly throughout colonial America and reminds us that national blessing follows submission to God.

Day 3 — Righteous Government

Read

• Romans 13
• 1 Peter 2
• Proverbs 29

Key Verse

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice..." (Proverbs 29:2)

Government exists by God's design and should reward righteousness while restraining evil.

Day 4 — Religious Liberty

Read

• Acts 4
• Acts 5
• Daniel 3

Key Verse

"We ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29)

Baptist leaders like Isaac Backus and John Leland defended the freedom to worship God according to Scripture, not government decree.

Day 5 — National Repentance

Read

• 2 Chronicles 7
• Joel 2
• Isaiah 55

Key Verse

"If my people...shall humble themselves..." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Revival begins when God's people humble themselves before Him.

Day 6 — The Gospel and Liberty

Read

• Romans 5
• Romans 10
• Ephesians 2

Key Verse

"For by grace are ye saved through faith..." (Ephesians 2:8)

Political freedom cannot save the soul. Only the Gospel gives eternal liberty.

Day 7 — Looking to the King

Read

• Psalm 2
• Revelation 19
• Revelation 21

Key Verse

"King of kings, and Lord of lords." (Revelation 19:16)

Earthly nations rise and fall, but Christ's Kingdom shall endure forever.

Favorite Bible Passages Frequently Quoted by America's Founders

• Psalm 33:12
• Proverbs 14:34
• Micah 6:8
• Deuteronomy 30:19
• Joshua 24:15
• Psalm 127:1
• Proverbs 3:5–6
• Isaiah 33:22
• Romans 13:1–7
• Galatians 5:1
• John 8:36
• 2 Chronicles 7:14

Scriptures Often Emphasized by Jonathan Edwards

• Isaiah 55
• Romans 3
• Romans 5
• Ephesians 2
• Hebrews 9
• Revelation 20
• Matthew 7
• John 3

Edwards consistently preached man's need for repentance, the holiness of God, and salvation by grace.

Scriptures Frequently Used by Isaac Backus

• Acts 5:29
• Matthew 22:21
• Romans 14
• Galatians 5:1
• John 8:36

Backus became one of America's greatest defenders of religious liberty and opposed state-controlled churches.

Scriptures Frequently Used by John Leland

• Matthew 28:18–20
• Acts 8
• Romans 10
• John 3
• Galatians 5:13

Leland boldly defended believer's baptism, soul liberty, and freedom of conscience.

Other Influential Pulpit Voices

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

• Psalm 23
• Isaiah 53
• John 10
• Romans 8
• Ephesians 2

John Bunyan

• Psalm 51
• Romans 8
• Hebrews 11
• 1 Peter 1

Andrew Fuller

• John 3
• Romans 10
• 2 Corinthians 5

Closing Thought

America's founders understood that liberty was never intended to become license. True freedom begins with obedience to God, is secured through Christ, and is preserved by a people who know and follow His Word.



May this Independence Day remind us to proclaim liberty—not merely political freedom—but the glorious liberty found in Jesus Christ.