The Fourth of July, or July Fourth, less popular but more accurately referred to as Independence Day, in the United States is a federal holiday celebrating the approval of our Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies considered themselves a new and separate nation, the United States of America, and no longer part of the British Empire, nor under its rule.
The legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain in 1776 actually took place on July 2, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that Richard Henry Lee of Virginia had recommended in June, declaring the United States independent from Great Britain rule. After voting for this recommendation, Congress turned its attention to the forming of a statement explaining this decision. This statement would forever after be regarded as the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson being its key author, also working with a Committee of Five. As they would and should do on matters of such importance, Congress deliberated and amended the wording of the document, until finally approving it on July 4. On July 3, John Adams had written to his wife predicting that July 2, 1776, would forever be the most celebrated day of the nation. He was off by two days, but his description of the celebrations was remarkable.
However, are we independent today? A closer look into the life and lives of the American States will make us realize we are struggling with many of the things we rebelled against in the beginning, taxes, religious freedom, and government control.
Our founding fathers inserted many safe guards against such things into our legal, guiding documents, but we have long ignored their controlling safety. We are a nation divided. We battle on many fronts, yet it seems, for the most part, life goes on. We cannot draw clear lines of division, such as the Civil War in our history may have been able to do, but unchecked, a civil war of sorts is coming.
We need, and must have a Declaration of Dependence, that is, a determined decision to, finally, depend on the Rule of our Creator God. The American Christian Church needs to put all names aside but the Name above all names, Jesus Christ. We must unify under the sole banner of Jesus, and in humility seek His forgiveness and healing of those things we alone have diseased among us. What we have broken, He alone can fix. “Without Me, ye can do nothing.” He is our only Hope! Church, in humility, let Him break us and remake us. We can experience genuine revival! I am praying and believing for a Great Spiritual Awakening through the church revived!
Come on, Church . . . Be a Hero! Make a Difference! Pray On!
