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In the summer of 1776, on July 4, something happened on this planet that had never happened before. The first enduring and self-sustaining democracy was born.

Eleven years later, having won our freedom from Great Britain, our founding fathers gathered in Philadelphia to craft a sustainable government and constitution for our new country. On the last day of the Constitutional Convention, on September 17, 1787, a woman of Philadelphia accosted Benjamin Franklin with a question as he came out of the meeting.

“Well, doctor,” she asked him, “what have we got? A republic or a monarchy?”

Franklin, who was rarely short of words or wit, shot back:

“A republic, madam— if you can keep it.” ¹

What exactly did Dr. Franklin mean by that? “A republic, ... if you can keep it.”

He meant that a democracy must be maintained by the people themselves, or else it will devolve into something else—either tyranny or chaos.

The founding fathers crafted the constitution because they knew that there is a difference between winning one’s freedom and maintaining it. Democracy’s greatest liability is that it is fragile. That is why the first words of the U.S. Constitution express a commitment made by those first Americans on behalf of all Americans. The Preamble of the Constitution reads:

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

As I write this newsletter article, I’ve been wondering, “how are we doing at keeping our Republic?”

The first presidential debate of this election cycle is looming. 2024 will always be remembered as an election-year like no other. For the first time in our lifetimes, we have two candidates each running on a four-year presidential record. Both candidates have their proud talking points, and both candidates each have their significant liabilities. 

Our country is deeply divided and there is a lot on the line. The vitality of our country and our republic depends on the enthusiastic participation and vigilance of the American people—“We the people.”

What makes America exceptional has never been its perfection, but our commitment to be more perfect— the belief we can be made better. In one of his better moments, former President Bill Clinton said something that is absolutely true—“ There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be fixed by what is right about America.” Time and time again, when our laws, when our leaders, or our government are out of alignment with our ideals, when our republic is “out of order,” then the diligence of ordinary Americans armed with our own freedoms, faith and constitution, have proven that we can police ourselves.

Hubert Humphrey reputedly said that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was one of the most important foreign policies of that decade. What he meant was that it showed the world that America could right itself. That we hold ourselves to a moral standard and that we can fix what is wrong.

Even though our ultimate citizenship is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20), by God’s providence we are a part of this community – of San Antonio, Texas, and the USA—and we have a purpose in this country.

Jeremiah wrote:

⁷ But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.² (Jeremiah 29:7)

We are part of “We the People,” and “We the People” have a responsibility to proclaim and pursue the mission of the Kingdom of God in the city (and nation) in which we dwell. We are not called merely to observe this world, but to serve it. The Lord has given us the important job of making His purposes visible in real ways in the real world.

In a season of political noise, the most important thing we can do is stand-up for the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We do not declare that Jesus is on this side, or that side—that the Lord is Democrat, Republican or Independent—but remind people that He is Lord of all. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given unto Him. We do not use the name of Jesus to rally people to a candidate. We must rally people to HIM. As the world devotes more and more attention to the messiah-like promises of politicians, we must direct them back to the truth of the real Messiah.

We need to love this city. Not just as spectators, but as missionaries. In this election year, how can you best serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through service to our country? How can we best work for the welfare of our neighborhood, our city, our state, and our nation? How can we share the words of resurrection, hope, and unity during a season of political division and anxiety?

How can we, the people of Jesus Christ, best pray for and serve the “welfare” of the country in which we live?

Grace and peace,

Rev. Dr. Bob Fuller

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1. (Metaxas, Eric (2016-06-14). If You Can Keep It: The Forgotten Promise of American Liberty (pp. 8-9). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.)

2.  The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Je 29:7). (2016). Crossway Bibles.