For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 ESV
In just a few days we will celebrate Independence Day in our country. This is July the 4th. 250 years ago our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence on this date. There is a phrase in the Declaration of Independence that says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Recently The Stand magazine published an article by Stephen McDowell talking about what makes our nation unique. He talks about her unique government and unmatched liberty. He talks about the valuable ideas on which this nation was founded. Ideas like valuing the individual, freedom of worship, freedom of assembly, freedom of thought and expression of ideas just to name a few.
We are often called the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Our founding fathers came to this country seeking religious freedom. They founded this country on biblical principles. The American Family Association published the results of a poll taken by Pew Research and the Institution for Family. It compares the way people thought in the earlier years to how they think now. In 1960 72% of adults were married compared to today when 50% of adults are married. In 1969 69% of people thought pre-marital sex was wrong. Today around 32% believe it is wrong. In 1980 18% of children were born outside of marriage compared to today when over 40% are born outside of marriage.
We have seen our freedom used as an excuse for moral decline. People use their freedom to openly express a lifestyle that contradicts God’s word. They have the freedom to even condemn those who don’t condone their way of living.
In the Old Testament, you can read the cyclical behavior of the Israelites. They were unbeatable when they were obedient to God. They were a strong nation that could conquer any enemy. But when they turned from God and refused to obey Him, they failed. They suffered. They were defeated.
We were once a great nation. According to Mr. McDowell’s article, by the beginning of the 20th century, American had become the leading nation in the world and held that place for generations. By 1960, she produced 39% of the world’s output with only 6% of the world’s population.
No politician can ever make us into a great nation again. Our founding fathers didn’t make us into a great nation. Only God can do that. Every one of us bears the responsibility for this. We can’t change what other people do but we can examine ourselves to be sure we are doing all we can do to bring God glory, honor, and praise in the things we say and do. This is how we witness to others and by doing so we can lead others to Christ.
The only way for this nation to survive is to return to God. We need to repent of our wrongdoing. We need to abandon our idols and return to Him.
We need to stop using freedom as an excuse for our sins and we need to repent and surrender to Him.
Have a great day!