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Experts say to keep our nation secure, we must preserve these vital areas: a strong military, wise economic policy, natural and energy resources, cyber-integrity, and the human rights of all citizens. But based on what the Bible says, we must also preserve the recognition of God. Psalm 9:17 tells us, “The wicked will go down to the grave. This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God.” God’s people help to preserve a nation from its own ruin by our being salt and light, as we keep our focus on Him. Peter spoke to this when he wrote to believers suffering because of their faith in Jesus. He urged them to realize that even though they were living in a hostile world, they should keep their divine perspective. He quoted God’s words in 1 Peter chapter 1 that say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” He said God will judge or reward us based on how we live. So you must live in reverent fear of Him as “foreigners in the land.” To help us realize how valuable we are to God, Peter wrote, “God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.” Today, God calls us to live a life of integrity—out of gratitude for the high price He paid to redeem us and keep us from a wasted life.
