Friday, April 19, 2024
July is freedom month and this is the fourth in a series of articles about FREEDOM in America. In previous articles we discussed that according to the Bible, ALL Freedom comes from God. In fact, its very exis tence requires His presence (2 Corinthians 3:17). Further, we concluded that God’s BEST for people is that we live in FREEDOM so that people are able to freely accept OR reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Whatever God makes available is something everyone should eagerly PURSUE because EVERYTHING He gives is GOOD. Certainly, FREEDOM is one of those GOOD things that ALL people desire. And historically, the ones who’ve experienced it the most are the ones who’ve encouraged God’s involvement. When God is directing things, FREEDOM will always be one of the attending benefits. Along the way, people will have to resist the temptation to restrict His involvement which He WILL allow us to do if that’s our choice even though the consequence will ALWAYS be the loss of FREEDOM.
Surely in the history of the world, the special people who led the founding of America understood this relationship better than anybody ever has. One of the main things that defined them was that many were coming out of one of the great Christian revivals in history called the First Great Awakening that occurred between about 1730 and 1755. Millions were saved and a revamped Christianity emerged that focused more on the divine destiny of individuals.
One of the facts in our history is that during the second half of the 18th century the American clergy took a leading role in RESISTING the unrighteous authority of the English Monarchy. They understood the biblical principle that FREEDOM could only come to a country by way of a healthy relationship with God on a national level and they boldly taught this idea to their congregations. The British themselves said after the Revolutionary War that had it not been for the infl uence of the “Black Robed Regiment,” they would not have lost. The historical truth is, many pastors and ministers fought the enemy in the fi eld LEADING the members of their congregations into battle. They considered that the PURSUIT of individual freedom was worth it, a gift of great value from God that required His involvement and their direct, hands-on leadership.
That’s why biblical principles are at the core of our founding documents for all to see. It’s also why the various personal writings both public and private of our Founding Fathers warned against ever trying to remove God from government. Did you know that President George Washington dedicated America to God on April 30, 1789 during his inauguration speech in New York City? Historians say that only two countries in history have been so dedicated by their principal government leaders: the United States and Israel.
In sum, FREEDOM and the presence of God ALWAYS go together. They are inseparable. Even though some folks may try to revise history, the truth is what it is: there were those in 1776 who knew the value of freedom, knew that it came from Christ and were willing to PURSUE it at the risk of losing personal possessions and life itself. Against all odds, they were willing to PURSUE God’s best for their new country and RESIST the greatest military presence in the world. And they won!
NEXT WEEK: THE DEFENSE OF FREEDOM
