By GFI Board Member, Nancy Pettit
We are thankful that the God of the Bible has graciously allowed our country to survive as the oldest constitutional republic and to be the freest people on earth. We are a diverse people of different ethnic backgrounds and languages but united under God’s providence, His governance, and care.
The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, which was the beginning of this great and successful nation. Thomas Jefferson, at age 33, wrote this famous document for the purpose of freeing us from England’s abusive rule. The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were actually committing treason against England’s rule. The decision to rebel did not come easily. They risked their lives, businesses, property, and family. But over the years, the English King George III and the London Parliament had broken promises and were giving unlawful orders to the people of the 13 colonies. Reconciling the differences was tried, but England refused to change, so the Revolutionary War was fought.
I want to explain the fact that these brave 56 signers had Christian beliefs. Most were from various Protestant denominations. Their worldview was Christian, not Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu, Marxist, communist, or atheist. God is referenced 4 times in the Declaration. They wanted individuals to have the opportunity to follow Christian morality and virtues without interference from the government. They believed in the liberty of conscience of the individual. They believed unalienable rights were granted to individuals by God. God is the Lord of the conscience. The inspiring and unique words penned by Thomas Jefferson are worth repeating: “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.”
This echoes from Genesis 1:27 about the dignity, worth, and value of each individual: “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Astounding! We are made in the image of our majestic and glorious God. Then in Acts 17:25 it says God “gives to all mankind life, breath, and everything.” Individual life is precious to God.
Also, the signers knew salvation in Christ is liberation, and the Christian life is one of liberty. Galatians 5:1 states, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (to sin). Christ’s sacrifice on the cross as our sin-bearer set us free from the bondage, power, and guilt of sin. Galatians 5:13 says, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh (to sin) but through love serve one another.” John 8:32 says, “The truth will set you free.” When you learn to look at the world and reality through God’s eyes (His Word and creation), God helps set you free from pride, selfishness, greed, self-reliance, and all other sins that transgress God’s commands.
Eleven years later, after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the framers of the Constitution came together to form a new government where the people ruled, not absolute rule by a king, dictator, autocrat, or anarchist. A constitution (laws made by the people), with checks
and balances on power and ways to amend, was formed. In a sense, our constitution (rule of law) is our “king.” People are to abide by the rule of law for our constitutional republic to continue to succeed. We are a great experiment in self-government, and one framer, John Adams, warned that our Constitution was for “a moral and religious people.”
Beware — there are attacks going on in the USA to bring down our freedoms. Islamic law, Sharia law, Marxism, communism, and globalism are a threat to our Constitution and individual freedoms. I challenge you to read about their worldviews so you are informed and not fooled.
Again, Happy 250th Birthday, USA! By God’s grace, we need to humbly pray our country can continue to flourish and honor Him.