“We hold these truths to be self-evident. That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." - (The Declaration of Independence)
Penned by the brilliant mind of Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence is possibly one of the greatest documents of all time. Adopted by the 2nd Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776, John Hancock as presiding president of the congress signed it along with 55 other members of that congress. It was the work, the wealth, the honor, and the blood of this country's founding fathers that brought us the freedom’s that we enjoy today.
Freedom costs something, it doesn't come cheaply.
The Declaration ends with this pledge, "And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." The Declaration of independence was ultimately signed and sealed with their blood. Many of the men who signed that document were subsequently killed by the British, others lost their homes, wealth, fortunes and families. We can enjoy our freedom today in this great country of ours because a handful of men over 245 years ago believed in the principles of freedom.
It pays to ask, from where did they get their convictions from? On what supposition did they harness so much courage? The Declaration of Independence is premised on the fact that, "...all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights,". These men knew that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness were rights given by God. Every American is familiar with the famous line of Patrick Henry, "Give me liberty or give me death," but did you also know that this courageous patriot also said, "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, and on the gospel of Jesus Christ." John Quincy Adams, whose father John Adams was a signer of the declaration said, "The highest glory of the American revolution was this, that it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of Christianity, with the principles of civil government."
Today, America is in danger of losing its freedoms!
God blessed the establishment of this country because it was founded on the principles of His word, the Bible. Sadly however, today, America has turned away from the value system of the Bible. Yes, many say they are Christians, or that they "believe in God". But just as the Bible predicts would happen in the last days before the return of the Lord, "They profess to know God, but in works deny Him...", (Titus 2:16). Many today are, "...holding to a form of godliness but denying its power...", (2 Tim. 3:5).
America's greatest need today is to return to the Word of God whose principles are its basis for liberty, and whose Gospel is its true source of freedom. You see, over 2,000 years ago, another, and far more important Declaration of Independence was signed and sealed with blood. That declaration came from the lips of, Jesus Christ, when he cried out from the cross, "It is finished!". Yes! Jesus finished the work that God the Father had sent Him to do. To die for the sins of man, your sins and mine, that we might have true freedom. You see, freedom costs something. It always has.
Often its been the blood of sacrificed lives that has secured freedom for others. Whether it was the blood of the early American patriots to secure freedom from tyranny, or the blood of young soldier's, shed during the Civil War to win freedom from slavery. Even so, Jesus went to the cross to shed His blood in order to purchase an even greater freedom for us! Freedom from both the tyranny and slavery of sin. You see, freedom costs something. It always has.
Are you really free today? Free from the guilt of sin? Free from life controlling addictions? Free from bitterness and hatred? Free from the wrath of God, that will come upon a sinful and rebellious humanity? Have you experienced the liberating power of Jesus Christ? Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin...The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus...Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (Jn.8:34-36 & Romans 6:23 combined)
Christ's gift is free but it isn't cheap. True freedom costs something. It cost the blood of Christ to be shed, it cost the life of Christ to be given. Why did God do this? Because, “He is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven.” (Eph. 1:7 NLT)
True freedom costs something. It always has. It will cost you eternity if you reject or neglect it. For it is also written, “...how will we escape if we neglect this great salvation that was announced to us by the Lord Jesus himself?” (Heb.2:3)
Therefore, I urge you, won't you lay hold of and stand fast in the liberty with which Christ has set us free? For, ‘He whom the son sets free will be free indeed!"
Andy White
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