Sadly, I also recognize that this seems hypocritical in light of the fact that many of the Southern Founding Fathers were slaveholders. Many of them acknowledged that slavery violated the natural rights of the enslaved, but knew the abolition of this abhorrent practice would endanger the ultimate goal of securing the unity and independence of the United States from Britain. Lamentably, they "kicked the can down the road" to be dealt with by a future generation, so that the freedom of the nation could come before they could address the freedom of the slaves. That despicable practice would be dealt with a mere 84 years later when the new nation was ripped asunder by the Civil War.
So, before I can proceed with why we should celebrate this auspicious day of July 4th, it is important to understand what is meant by "unalienable rights". First, most have a distorted idea that it takes its meaning from the word "alien", signifying that these un-alien-able rights were unfamiliar or foreign to men of that time. This is a wrong interpretation. In 1776, when the Declaration was written, the correct enunciation was un-a-lien-able, as in "a lien", a form of security interest granted over an item of property to secure the payment of a debt. What the Founding Fathers were actually saying was this: the natural rights that have been given to us by God are not subject to a lien by any king or ruler; they are ours to possess outright.
In other words, our rights are not determined by governments; or granted by them; and cannot be legislated by them. It was the first time in the history of the world, that a nation of people dared to declare that they recognized God's rulership and authority as being above that of any monarch or crowned head. Our freedom and our rights come from God, and we find our ultimate freedom in Christ ... the freedom to make our own choices about how we will live our lives; the freedom to change and grow in our Identity as the sons of God; freedom from the consequences of our sins and trespasses; and the freedom from the harassment and torment of our Enemy.
This was a new concept in the history of civilization. Never before had men been trusted [or allowed] to conduct their lives unencumbered by the heavy hand of an oppressive authority. The thought that men could govern themselves by adopting fundamental principles and moral standards for the common good was best expressed by English philosopher John Locke, in his Second Treatise on Government: "The natural liberty of man is to be free from any superior power on earth, and not be under the will or legislative authority of man, but to have only the law of nature for his rule". These laws of nature were understood to be that which the God of the Universe had instituted when He created man in His image.
But, here we are in 2024, and it is a matter of our very survival as a nation to re-establish this idea of where our rights come from and why they are so important to protect. In the last 60 plus years the government of this nation has removed God as the authority and founder of our natural rights. The very idea of freedom has been distorted to mean a collection of "rights" or "privileges", which opens the possibility that a duplicitous or oppressive government could convince the populace that by merely altering, or abolishing, even a single aspect of our "rights" [which safeguard our liberty], we are still left with the concept of "having Freedom".
It shouldn't be hard to see that over a period of time, or generations, much damage could be done by chipping away at our freedom. What was once our stronghold of personal independence and liberties could easily be whittled down to a house of straw. Remember: In 1 Corinthians 3, Jesus tells us He laid a foundation upon which we are to conduct our lives. And we have to be careful how we build on it. What once was a solid foundation of liberty has, in 248 years, been diminished to a straw house, subject to falling in and burning up. We must return to our original underpinnings, and recognize that even if the house of straw falls in, Jesus is still our fortress and our stronghold!
So, do the American people have any idea why we should celebrate the Fourth of July? It grieves me when I see various newsmen interviewing the youth of our country, and they seem to know nothing of our history or the founding of this experimental nation based on individual liberty and freedom. I will tell you that I still believe we possess the DNA of 1776, and that this "experiment" called the United States of America was ordained by the God of the Universe. The question is, do our spirits still yearn to thrive in a "state of Freedom"; that state of not being imprisoned or enslaved; the freedom that imparts the power of self-determination?
If we're honest with ourselves, the once lofty ideal of freedom that this country represented, and its founding leaders embodied, has been replaced by a belief system that champions money and power. America once recognized that their state of freedom was bestowed by God; but His Dominion and Sovereignty have been replaced by the Supremacy and Restraint of the State. So, does that mean we have nothing to celebrate this year?
Let me remind you -- Americans are not quitters! We don't give up! We have a massive job ahead of us to turn our massive ship of debt. We must admit that we fell asleep on the job. We didn't protect and preserve what was diligently carved out for us by our Founders, and was fought and died for over the last 248 years. Yes, we've wasted our heritage and our God-given blessings. Our enemies are waiting for us to stumble beyond recovery.
So, what shall be our destiny? Can we restore our virtue [our honor, our goodness]; or will this nation just be a footnote in history, known for its violence, corruption, and debauchery? July 4, 1776 was a day of far-reaching consequences; just as these fearful days are. We are faced with no less a serious choice regarding our future. Will we continue to suffer under the repressive directives of a governing body that pays no mind to our concerns? Or will we decide our liberties and freedom are precious, God-given, and worth standing up for? If possible, the significance of this July 4th is of much more significance than in 1776. The question is, are we as brave and committed as they were to see our rights from God preserved? Because, believe me, the future of our children and our nation -- and even our survival -- depends on how much we can revive the embers of that burning desire for freedom in our hearts and the hearts of our countrymen.
Let's make this July 4th about more than hot dogs, hamburgers, and a day at the beach. Let us recommit ourselves to our founding principles. I know God has not given up on this nation, and we have not lost faith in Him to answer our prayers as we storm Heaven to help us keep the Republic. I still believe we can humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways! But we are running out of time. The evil partners that would see this nation destroyed are not giving up either! But God has always kept a remnant unto Himself to see His will done on the earth. So, let me leave you with this quote from my favorite Founding Father, Samuel Adams: It does not take a majority to prevail; but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.
Happy 4th of July! Let Freedom ring in the hearts of all men!
Job 8:8-10 For inquire, please, of bygone ages, and consider what the fathers have searched out. For we are but of yesterday and know nothing, for our days on earth are a shadow. Will they not teach you and tell you and utter words out of their understanding?
