EXPLORING FREEDOM [Part 6]
A closer look at the Declaration of Independence
Christians had landed in “the new world” in hopes of escaping the tyranny of despots in favor of liberty and the freedom to worship God as they understood His will in 1620.
Their efforts and aspirations had often been frustrated in subsequent generations; yet, in the late 1700s, these goals had become reinforced in their contemporary society.
“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States;”
Once again, we see that these men intended to throw off the ties that bound them to the British Empire.
“… that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. 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 drafters and signers of this declaration thought of themselves as citizens of thirteen independent states, bound only according to the judgment of a just God.
The US Constitution later designated these states as members of a union of states, establishing a nation of united states.
This was demonstrated in the naming of this nation, “The United States of America.”
It is not just a name, it is a description.
Each state is governed by an internal government of its citizens’ choosing, in agreement with 49 other states, united for the protection and mutual prosperity of every citizen.
Instead of each state competing independently on the international stage, they unite in competition with the international community while preserving the states’ rights and privileges internally, according to “the will of the people.”
This is a most unique arrangement not seen before 1776, and nowhere else in the world.
It began when the citizens of 13 colonies of the British Empire determined that, with the blessings of God and the courage of their convictions, these Americans would defy the most powerful empire on earth to declare their independence.
I believe it is clear that God fully endorsed the sentiments proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence by these courageous Americans.
The gift of citizenship has been afforded to their progeny through inheritance; the question is, what will we do with it? How will we preserve it for future generations?
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“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” __Ronald Reagan
God bless you, Dave
“Duty is ours, results are God’s.” __John Quincy Adams