Today marks the 233rd anniversary of the birth of our nation,the day when brave and dedicated patriots founded a nation based on freedom. And from that day to this, the world has never been the same. As Lafayette put it, "Humanity has won its battle. Liberty now has a country." Indeed it does. For more than 200 years, America has stood for freedom.
On July 2, 1776, Congress voted to approve a complete separation from Great Britain. Two days afterward, July 4, the early draft of the Declaration of Independence was signed, albeit by only two individuals: John Hancock, president of Congress, and Charles Thompson, secretary of Congress. Four days later, on July 8, members of Congress took that document and read it aloud from the steps of Independence Hall, proclaiming it to the city of Philadelphia, after which the Liberty Bell was rung. The inscription around the top of that bell, Leviticus 25:10, was most appropriate for the occasion: "Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof."
Perhaps the clearest identification of the spirit of the American Revolution was given by John Adams in a letter to Abigail the day after Congress approved the Declaration. He wrote her two letters that day; the first was short and concise, jubilant that The Declaration had been approved. The second was much longer and more pensive, giving serious consideration to what had been done that day. Adams cautiously noted: "This day will be the most memorable epic in the history of the America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival."
It is amazing that on the very day they approved The Declaration, Adams was already foreseeing that their actions would be celebrated by future generations. Adams contemplated whether it would be proper to hold such celebrations, but then concluded that the day should be commemorated, but in a particular manner and with a specific spirit. He told Abigail: "It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty."
So, on the Fourth of July we mark more than a birthday. We celebrate our God-given rights to liberty and life, and we honor all those who, over the centuries, have been willing to fight and die to keep our country free. Most of all, we honor our God who has given us our freedom.
The right to religious freedom (or even, the right to have no religion at all) is basic to the human condition. God could have created us as puppets with no choice but to bend to his will. However, in his infinite wisdom, he created us with a choice. In other words, he created us for freedom. Religous freedom is one of the most precious legacies our Baptist forefathers fought to preserve. Today, that freedom is threatened abroad by acts of terror ... and it is threatened from within by an erosion between the separation of church and state. Let us pray for wisdom during these critical days.
Today, the words of James Stewart writing in the 1940's in The Strong Name, ring true ... just as true as the day he wrote them -- "We are standing helpless before the towering mystery of evil's tragic dominions as we face the grim fact of sin and chaos and man's inhumanity to man." So what do we do? We remember the words of J.W. Nowling -- "In the midst of this turbulent, often chaotic life we are called upon to look with courageous honesty within our innermost self and relentless care toward our fellow human beings and increasing prayer to God."
And then we thank God for our freedom and those who gave, and those who are still giving, their lives for it.
Blessings,
Pastor Ellis
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