The Journey Continues: 4th of July
My journey this week takes me to the 4th of July on Thursday. As a nation, we celebrate the freedom from England declared in 1776 in the Declaration of Independence — a national holiday. Some folks go fishing, some tube the river, families hold reunions, lots of good food is served and many watch fireworks in city parks and rivers at the end of the day. On the website, www.constitutionfacts.com, I found this fascinating fact: “Some of the most famous lines in the Declaration of Independence were inspired by Virginia’s Declaration of Rights by George Mason.
Mason said: "all men are born equally free and independent." Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence said: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
Jefferson listed man’s ‘inalienable rights’ as "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Paradoxically, I recently visited Monticello, and saw the slave graveyard and the quarters where his slaves lived.
The Declaration of Independence led to The War (1775 – 1783) that won us our nation’s freedom. Around the world and throughout history there have been many fights for freedom. But let me speak about spiritual freedom.
In the Old Testament: Isaiah 52:2 exhorts “Shake yourself from the dust, rise up, O captive Jerusalem, Loose yourself from the chains around your neck, O captive daughter of Zion.”
In the New Testament: John 8:32 says “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”
Who wants to be a slave? Jesus Christ as savior, redeemer, has the power of God to set free anyone who acknowledges him as Lord. Free from what? The power of sin in our natural man. The desolation in our heart without a relationship with the living God. A lack of love for our neighbors.
Jesus said in John 16:33: “I have come to tell you these things so that you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but do not fear, I have overcome the world.”
Overcoming the world meant overcoming death. Christ arose and has this awesome power to free you from the slavery of sin and give you peace.
Do you recognize shackles that still exist? With Christ as our savior we must acknowledge in this world there are many troubles — envy, greed, fear, hate, injustice, hunger, killing, addiction, prejudice. Freedom brings responsibility to love others and work against evils.
