Our church loves to do up July 4th the right way. We celebrate not only America’s birthday, but the grace and true freedom that God has so lovingly given each one of us through Jesus Christ.
Yesterday we sang “This Is How It Feels to Be Free.”
The only thing I could think throughout the entire song was how amazingly and overwhelmingly grateful I am that Jesus Christ set me free from the bondage of sin.
It literally brought tears to my eyes and got me all choked up, and that’s never a good thing when I’m supposed to be singing because then I get this little squeaky-thing going on with my voice. Not pretty.
The person who delivered our sermon was a a friend of mine from high school who is now a prosecuting attorney in town. As I listened to his inspired words, I tried not to think about the fact that he and I were in a production of Charlotte’s Web together when I was in the 10th grade (I was Charlotte, he was Templeton) and instead listen to what he was saying. He spoke a lot about explaining the Declaration of Independence and what it means to us, and I’d like to add my own thoughts to what he was saying.
(I’m about to put on my US History Teacher hat and my Disciple of Christ hat.)
The Declaration of Independence contains a beautiful line that is important not only to our freedoms as Americans, but to our freedoms as human beings in all nations of the world.
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.
As human beings, we are granted unalienable rights that cannot be taken away. These rights come not from man or government, but from God.
Life–
God granted each one of us life. In genesis 2, he created Man. The Bible says that he created each one of us and knows the number of hairs on our head.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5
Liberty-
God has given us the ultimate gift of liberty through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, his son. Probably the most well-known Bible verse lays is out clearly for us. When we believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again, we are granted the freedom of eternal life with God himself.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
The Pursuit of Happiness-
God does not automatically give us “happiness” when we become followers and disciples of Christ, but he gives us opportunities to know Him more, which will instill in us a joy that supersedes any man-made happiness we could ever achieve.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
When we understand these basic rights, granted to us through God’s unbelievable mercy, then we are truly free.
Happy Independence Day, America!
Share With Me: What are your favorite July 4th traditions?
Hale and Hearty Words 