“When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.” (Declaration of Independence)
In our world today, at least it seems to this writer, human governments, even some of the good, have taken the place of our Creator in their own minds, and in the minds of some of their constituents. Some say that Almighty God ordains the “institution of government” and, for that reason, He sustains and maintain all governments as institutions. Yet, this is not entirely accurate. God knows what sinful humans can do to create their own unruliness when free to do what is “right in their own eyes”, and, so, He establishes the principle of authority. He then appoints individual persons to implement His given authority in the lives of people groups. These persons are accountable to God for their use of the authority He gives. That God-given authority rests in the individual and not necessarily an untold mass of persons we call government. One who takes and uses his God-given authority for the express purpose that their people “may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” pleases God, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” (I Timothy 2:2-3).
These things were in the minds of our “founding fathers” as they drafted our Declaration of Independence, then later the Constitution of our “One Nation Under God!” It was “for the people, by the people!”
When I celebrate Independence Day, the 4th of July, it is only because these truths I hold sacred! When the nation loses its independence, there is no longer need to celebrate a day which has been desecrated.
Americans, true Americans in heart, enjoy liberty because of God’s grace and mercy, of this there can be no doubt. I love America. I am extremely blessed to have been born in the heartland of America. I do not take this blessing lightly. I stand with my fellow Americans in righteous, God directed patriotism and defense of this land. However, let it be known, America is not my God. My allegiance now and always will be to Him. I owe Him my all, and I will give Him my all, even to suffer.
Time being, I enjoy Liberty, but Jesus is my pursuit! Happy 4th of July! Pray On!
