This July 4th we celebrate the 248th birthday of our nation. We owe much to the character of those who made us a free people, enjoying the blessings of liberty to this day. Many of the founding fathers were God-fearing, faith-filled statesmen, scholars, soldiers, and clergy. We recount their words and deeds that launched a republic…
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee (VA) proposed that the Continental Congress make a declaration of independence from the British crown. John Adams (MA) seconded the proposal. While the representatives went home to determine the will of their people, Adams, Jefferson (VA), Franklin (PA), Livingston (NY), and Sherman (CT) drafted the declaration, including: “The separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them…all men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights…appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions…for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence…”
As Congress argued and debated, Adams rose with great conviction: “Before God, I believe the hour has come. My judgment approves this measure, and my whole heart is in it…live or die, survive or perish, I am for the declaration. It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment!”
Commander of the Continental Army, General George Washington reminded the delegates, “While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.”
Two late arrivals determined the outcome of the vote. One was Presbyterian minister John Witherspoon (NJ) who announced on behalf of his delegation, “In our judgment, the country is not only ripe for independence, but we are in danger of becoming rotten for the want of it.” Caesar Rodney (DE), ill with a facial cancer, was half-carried into the hall in Philadelphia; he barely uttered, “I vote for independence!” The vote was unanimous, and in that moment the 13 colonies became the United States of America.
John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress and first to sign the Declaration, is famous for his enormous, bold signature. While we can’t be sure if he made the wry comment about King George being able to read it, we do know that he said, “Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual…continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us.”
Bells rang out! But here's a bit of irony: The Liberty Bell originated in England. This enduring symbol of American independence was cast with the word of God from Leviticus 25:10: "Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof" (KJV). While the iconic crack came along later, the message of liberty was indeed proclaimed throughout the land when, on July 8, the Liberty Bell was rung as the Declaration of Independence was read aloud to a newly independent people.
Our Independence Day celebrations provide an opportunity for us to reflect in gratitude on these men’s commitment, not just to their nation, but to their God, that they were willing to sacrifice all to what they believed was His will. We enjoy the privilege of worshiping in freedom because of their obedience, which we must never take for granted.
It behooves us to follow in their footsteps as we perceive portions of our freedoms eroding. We must take a stand, casting our vote whenever possible, no matter the discouragement we face.
We must also commit to support in prayer our elected representatives who continue to uphold the principles of the Declaration and U.S. Constitution established by our nation’s founders. I am grateful that the ministry I serve provides an opportunity for us to do that each day through the Project K.E.E.P. initiative, keeping our elected officials encouraged through prayer. If following God’s plan for our nation was worth the founders’ sacrifice, it is worth at least a few minutes of our time every day.
Let us not forget that when it came time to sign our Declaration of Independence, the delegates soberly pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. Sam Adams (MA) then rose to declare: “We have this day restored the Sovereign, to Whom alone men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and…from the rising to the setting sun, may His Kingdom come.”
May all of us who treasure the life we have been given as Americans add a resounding “Amen!” to Adams’ acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty and pleas for His will to reign in these United States of America.
Bill Adams serves as a Chaplain on the CCM/Medi-Share Spiritual Development team, helping to strengthen employees in their faith through rich biblical teaching and compassionate care. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Bill served as an officer in the United States Army before going on to earn a Doctor of Divinity and Master of Arts in Judeo-Christian Synergism from Master’s International University of Divinity and a Master of Divinity from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary.