Why the Joy of Freedom Never Has To End

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17

We live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Free to live in accordance with our beliefs because of the sacrifice of many brave men and women. Most of us know this freedom as the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Those who played important roles in the founding of this country passionately and tirelessly fought for freedom from tyranny. They sacrificed much for their beliefs.

True Freedom

Many of the “founders” also knew an immeasurably more profound freedom. One celebrated for nearly 2000 years. They realized the freedom from bondage to sin through the Lord Jesus Christ.

freedom-in-Lords-spirit-

And that’s what they based the principles of this nation on: Christian principles that offer more than just freedom in this life. Principles that through Jesus Christ promise rescue from ourselves, redemption from our fallen nature, and salvation for all eternity.

Revolutionary leaders like Patrick Henry and Samuel Adams understood the importance of this Freedom far above any others. They realized the importance of being a nation founded on Christian principles.

“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship.” Patrick Henry

“The rights of the colonists as Christians…may be best understood by reading and carefully studying the institution of the Great Law Giver and Head of the Christian Church, which are to be found clearly written and promulgated in the New Testament.” Samuel Adams

We'd do well to realize the freedoms found in the United States of America are only possible by the gracious mercy of the Author of Freedom Himself, Yahweh. Click To Tweet

“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…. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” The Declaration of Independence

Excellent Book on the Shaping of America

If you are interested in better understanding the men who shaped our country, consider purchasing a copy of this fabulous book, For You They Signed: The Spiritual Heritage of Those Who Shaped Our Nation. I picked it up on our trip to D.C. several years ago and inhaled it before we made it home. Author Marilyn Boyer has compiled a state-by-state guide to the signers of The Declaration of Independence. In this book she offers a plethora of facts, quotes, and little-known information as well as questions for discussion. All presented in an easy-to-read format to help Americans of all ages better understand our spiritual heritage.

For You They Signed: The Spiritual Heritage of Those Who Shaped Our Nation

“Let Me Tell You a Story”

And now I can’t help but share this humorous little parable I came across (I’ve read different versions of this, and the author is unknown):

Once, in the 1820′s, a little boy called Sam was playing in the yard behind his house. During his pretend fighting game, he knocked over the outhouse. Now Sam was upset and worried that he would get into trouble so he ran into the woods and didn’t come out until after got dark.

When he arrived back home, his pappy was waiting for him. He asked suspiciously, “Son, did you knock over the outhouse this afternoon?”

“No, pappy,” Sam lied.

“Well, let me tell you a story,” said the father. “Once, not that long ago, Mr Washington received a shiny new axe from his father. Excited, he tried it out on a tree, swiftly cutting it down. But as he looked at the tree, with dismay he realized it was his mother’s favorite cherry tree,” his pappy paused.” just like you, he ran into the woods. When he returned, his pappy asked, “George, did you cut down the cherry tree?” George answered with, ‘Father, I cannot tell a lie. I did indeed chop down the tree.’Then his father said, ‘Well, since you were honest with me, you are spared from punishment. I hope you have learned your lesson, though.’

“So,” the Sam’s father asked again,” did you knock down the outhouse?”

“Pappy, I cannot tell a lie any more.” said the little boy. “I did indeed knock down the outhouse.”

Then his pappy father spanked Sam boy red, white, and blue. The boy whimpered, “Pappy, I told you the truth! Why did you spank me?”

Pappy answered, “That’s because George Washington’s father wasn’t in the tree when he chopped it down!”

Happy Independence Day: Let Your Freedom Ring!

My friends, let your Fourth of July weekend ring with joyous Freedom! And make sure no one is in the outhouse you topple…

^“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

Reflections: How much do you know about the spiritual heritage of your country? My fellow American citizens, how many of The Declaration of Independence signers can you name?

By His grace ≈

Julie

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