What good is America in the world?

Legacies of both destruction and blessing have been left behind by the rise and fall of nations throughout history. For Christians, one of the key measures of a nation’s greatness is whether its policies and actions align – even imperfectly – with biblical principles of justice, mercy, and love.

The United States, despite its flaws and shortcomings, plays a remarkable role in bringing truth, hope, help, and healing to people throughout the world, and its impact often reflects biblical truths about the dignity of human life and the calling to love one’s neighbor (Mark 12:31). Here are some specific ways the United States of America promotes good in today’s dark and dying world.

1. Humanitarian aid and disaster relief

Few nations in history have mobilized resources for humanitarian aid on the scale America has. Through both government policy and private generosity, the United States repeatedly steps into crises to provide food, medicine, and disaster relief.

Government organizations, alongside faith-based ministries, have delivered aid to famine-stricken countries in Africa, earthquake victims in Haiti, tsunami survivors in Southeast Asia, and countless others. These efforts echo Proverbs 19:17, “One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed.”

American policies that prioritize legitimate foreign aid have not only saved millions of lives but also demonstrate that compassion is not confined to one’s borders. Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan is a reminder that one’s neighbor is not just the person next door, but also the stranger on the road who desperately needs mercy (Luke 10:25-37).

In this way, America’s global aid reflects a biblical understanding of neighborly love lived out on an international scale.

2. The promotion of religious freedom

One of the most profound contributions America makes to the world is its defense and promotion of religious liberty. Enshrined in the First Amendment, America’s model of protecting the free exercise of religion has influenced international human rights policies and inspired countless nations to reconsider oppressive practices.

Through diplomatic pressure, policy initiatives, and support for persecuted peoples, America provides refuge and advocacy for Christians and other faith groups facing hostility. For example, American leaders – particularly secretaries of state under President Donald Trump – have spoken out against the persecution of believers and other minority religions around the world.

This reflects the Hebrews 13:3 mandate to Christians: “Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.”

America’s defense of religious liberty helps spread the message that faith is not merely a private choice but a God-given right, worthy of defense on a global stage.

3. Technology and God-given creativity

The first pages of Scripture make it clear that humanity is made in the image of God – the ultimate Creator (Genesis 1:27). Unlike any other part of creation, human beings are endowed with the unique capacity to imagine, design, and build. This drive to innovate is not accidental; it reflects God Himself.

America, through its policies and cultural emphasis on freedom, enterprise, and research, has fostered technological advances that have not only changed the nation but blessed the entire world.

American innovations such as the airplane, the internet, space exploration, and modern computing have radically expanded the horizons of what humanity can accomplish. These breakthroughs, while often pursued for practical or economic reasons, also echo the biblical calling to exercise stewardship over creation (Genesis 1:28) and to use the gifts of knowledge and creativity for the good of others.

Consider the moon landing of Apollo 11 in 1969. While it was a feat of engineering and geopolitical achievement, it also demonstrated the God-given capacity of humans to explore and harness creation in ways that inspire awe and humility.

Similarly, America’s leadership in developing communication technologies has connected families, advanced education, and enabled the rapid spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth – fulfilling, in part, Jesus’ Great Commission to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20).

At their best, technological advances embody the biblical truth that human creativity reflects Divine creativity. When rightly ordered, innovation is a way of imitating the Creator, bringing light into darkness and solutions into places of need. When used rightly, American ingenuity provides platforms for ministry, medical breakthroughs, agricultural improvements, and countless other blessings that serve humanity and glorify God.

4. Defending human dignity and fighting oppression

A desire to defend the vulnerable against tyranny often shapes America’s foreign policies. Whether fighting against Nazi Germany during World War II, attempting to dismantle the global slave trade, combating modern-day human trafficking, or defending America’s borders, the U.S. has played, and continues to play, a central role in advancing freedom.

These are efforts that have been in place since the country’s inception, and they reflect the admonition found in Isaiah 1:17, which says, “Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.”

By leveraging its power to defend human dignity, America aligns with God’s mandate to promote good and restrain evil.

5. Private generosity and faith-based missions

Beyond official government policy, American generosity – often rooted in Christian conviction – impacts the world profoundly. American citizens give more to charity than any other nation, with billions directed toward international aid, education, and missions.

Faith-based organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse, Eight Days of Hope, and Compassion International have built hospitals, provided for children, and responded to disasters across the globe. These ministries, often supported by American policies, demonstrate the synergy between government action and the body of Christ living out its mission.

Jesus commanded His followers to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16), and through both policy and private generosity, American Christians bring light to some of the darkest corners of the world.

America’s role in God’s global purposes

Psalm 33:12 declares, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.”

America has been blessed when it has aligned itself with God’s truths, and it has faltered when it has turned away. For Christians, the mandate is clear: Pray for leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2), advocate for policies rooted in righteousness, and remember that the mission of bringing hope to the world is, first and foremost, the calling of the church.

America’s policies and actions bring tangible hope, help, and truth to millions around the world. From humanitarian aid and innovation to the defense of religious freedom and the fight for human dignity, these contributions reflect biblical values at work in the public square.

Yet even as we celebrate these legacies, we must remember that America is not the savior of the world – Jesus is. The best of American policies only point to the greater kingdom, where perfect justice, mercy, and peace will reign forever.

In the meantime, Christians are called to be “salt and light” in their communities and to encourage their nation to align its policies with God’s truth.

When America does this, we fulfill part of our God-given purpose: to be an instrument of blessing.