Today we celebrate the signing of the declaration of independence, freeing the 13 colonies from British rule.
After the July 2 vote, John Adams famously wrote to Abigail, his wife: The second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.
What solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty do you think John was referring to? History books teach us the declaration and war was about freedom from unfair taxation and lack of representation in parliament, yet John clearly wrote to his wife that his signature was about more than that.
What passages do you think were read in early July of 1776? Do you think Paul’s letter to the church in Rome was read?
Paul writes in Romans 1
The Just Live by Faith
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Perhaps our founders lived by Faith? John did call it a day of deliverance. As Veterans, 1st Responders, and Faith Leaders, 4th of July often times leads us to ponder its meaning to each of us as we spend our lives in solemn acts of devotion.
Are these acts ones of devotion to the ideals of a country or are they acts of devotion to God?
Most of us wrestled with the order of devotion early in life, some of us even have tattoos of the outcome and sing a few songs about it. God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood and God Family Country by Craig Morgan comes to mind.
This July 4th, 247 years after the declaration was signed, we recognize the faith our founders wielded, thanking God for His work then and now.
Happy Independence Day from the staff of Gateway to Heaven Ministries.