In its penultimate sentence, the Declaration of Independence declares “that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; 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.”
In the following and final sentence, the 56 signers entered into this binding agreement with each other: “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.”
Celebrating the 233rd anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, I thank the Lord Jesus Christ for the freedom with which I have been entrusted as a citizen of this great nation, the United States of America.
In the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (the First Amendment being part of the “Bill of Rights” which was ratified by the states on December 15, 1791) a glorious freedom is stated: “Congress shall make no law respecting
an establishment
of religion, or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Far from separating “religion” from political discourse and activity, this precious amendment seeks to protect citizens of the United States of America in their exercise of religion, speech, the press, and peaceful assembly to petition the government. Although the First Amendment often is caricaturized as establishing “separation of church and state,” it actually says more about the state’s influence upon the church than vice-versa.
While celebrating the 233rd anniversary of the Declaration of Independence today, I will also thank the Lord Jesus Christ for the freedom that I have as a child of God through faith in him.
In the Gospel of John, 8:31-36, we read these words: “Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ They answered him, ‘We are Abraham’s offspring, and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that you say, ‘you shall become free’?
“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. And the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.’ ”
Freed from the bondage of sin, the believer experiences that of which Romans 6:19 speaks, the freedom to “present oneself to God as a servant of righteousness.” Freed from the bondage of self, the believer experiences that of which Galatians 5:13 testifies, the freedom to “serve one another through love.”
Today is the 233rd anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. I invite you to join me in thanking the Lord Jesus Christ for the freedom with which we have been entrusted — freedom as a citizen of this great nation, the United States of America, and freedom as a child of God through faith in him.
The Rev. Drew Fenstermacher is the pastor of Faith Baptist Church in State College. He can be reached at 234-1176 or fbcsc@juno.com.
In Print
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