Citizens of the United State of American celebrate their liberty on this date. It was on July 4, 1776, that the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress. The document explains to the world why thirteen colonies regarded themselves as independent sovereign states no longer subject to British colonial rule.
Almost all citizens of the United States are familiar with the beginning sentence of the second paragraph (even when they can’t quite remember that it comes from the Declaration of Independence).
“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.”
Independent. As a nation we are definitively independent. As citizens of that nation, we loudly proclaim that Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness are ours. But do we really have life? Are we truly free and happy?
May I say, we cannot be truly free until the Son of God sets us free from our sin, our shame, and our guilt before our Creator and Father God. Jesus reminded His listeners that when we “know the truth, the truth will set [us] free.” [John 8:32 HCSB]
He also declared that He Himself was Truth and the only Way back to God the Father. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” [John 14:6 HCSB]
While the Declaration of Independence declared freedom for the future United State of America and its citizens, we can only be fully and eternally free when we are set free by the Son of God. “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” [John 8:35 NKJV]
Free Indeed! Amen!
