Grace For The Journey

  Today is the Fourth of July; in America a time for food, fellowship, and fireworks.  But for the Christian, it is a time for so much more!  Today is a day to reflect on the fact that we are a nation that was founded, rooted, and established on Christian principles.  Don’t take my word for it; read the words of our founding fathers . . .

“The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”  John Adams

“May every citizen . . . have a proper sense of the Deity upon his mind and an impression of the declaration recorded in the Bible, ‘Him that honoreth Me I will honor, but he that despiseth Me shall be lightly esteemed.’”  Samuel Adams

“The 1^st Amendment has created a wall of separation between church and state, but that wall is a one directional wall, it keeps the government from running the church, but it makes sure that Christian principles will always stay in government.”  Thomas Jefferson

“Why is it that, next to the birthday of the Savior of the World, our most joyous and most venerated festival returns on this day [July 4th]? . . . Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the gospel dispensation?  Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission upon earth?  That it laid the corner stone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity. . ?”  John Quincy Adams

Regardless of what we hear from politicians, liberal media, or historical revisionists, our great nation was founded on Christian principles and religious freedom – not to worship whatever god we want, but rather, the God Who is: the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Our founding fathers not only pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, they pledged allegiance to their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  They echoed the inspired and infallible words of the apostle Paul:

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  (Galatians 2:20 NIV)

Our founders’ ultimate allegiance was to the Almighty.

• They were devoted to Him.
• They were dedicated to Him.
• They were committed to Him.
• Their entire existence was rooted in their right relationship with their Redeemer.

Patrick Henry, the fiery “Give me liberty or give me death!” orator of the Revolution, said simply, “This is all the inheritance I can give to my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.”  And that, beloved, should be the confession of the lives of every who pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America . . . and every other Christian around the world, regardless of the flag that flies over their land.

The greatest gift we possess,

And the greatest gift we can pass on to our family,

Is faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.

On the day that we Americans celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, let us meditate on our declaration of dependence to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and His sovereign rule in our lives.  Jesus is to be our first priority in both life and death.  He is to be our safety in the storm.  He is to be our peace in times of trouble.  He is to be our portion in times of need.  He is to be our All in all.

There is no greater declaration for the Christian to make and honor

Than the one made to the King of kings and Lord of lords.

When we declare to be His, we declare that we are no longer our own.  We have been bought at a price no man can measure.  The very Son of God was crucified and nailed to a rough wooden cross, hung between two thieves to pay our penalty for our sins.  We are His – we belong to no other – and He will tolerate no rival.

So today, as you enjoy your Independence Day celebration, pause to remember and give thanks to the One who purchased your freedom from the kingdom of the prince of this world.  Jesus has brought you out of darkness and into His marvelous light to remain with Him forever and ever, world without end.

By God’s grace, may we live lives that confess both our

Pledge of allegiance to the republic for which our American flag stands . . .

And to our triune God in heaven – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This is God’s Word For Today … This Is Grace For The Journey

Rest and Rejoice in this eternal truth!

Pastor Terry

Ephesians 4:7 – “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”