William Wallace, the 13th century Scotsman depicted in the 1995 movie Braveheart, led the charge for freedom from the tyranny of the English. Five hundred years later, George Washington led a successful charge for freedom from English rule in the American Revolution. Then the work began to define what that freedom would look like.
As we celebrate our nation’s 249th birthday, it is encouraging to reflect on the faith of the founding fathers and how their faith proved foundational for the birth of our constitutional republic. This comes through in the Declaration of Independence with wording such as, “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 56 signers of the Declaration proclaimed freedom under God, and conveyed a love for God, country and the people.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharoah and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.’” – Exodus 8:1. God proclaimed Freedom under Him to worship. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16. There is freedom under God from the penalty of sin. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:29-30. There is freedom under God from the power of sin. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. – John 8:36. There is freedom under God eventually from the presence of sin. Of course, freedom is never free. It cost God His Son, and His Son His life. It cost Jesus’ disciples their lives. And as Christians, freedom under God is selfless, sacrificial living in this world. History reflects that the signatories of the Declaration of Independence did indeed understand the cost of freedom and regulated their lives accordingly to birth a new nation. The call to dads and moms this 4th of July is to provide perspective for the next generation, to pass on the realities of freedom under God and the responsibility for the freedoms we have in these United States of America.
Tips to convey perspective for Freedom under God:
- Read the gospel of John, chapters 1, 3 & 8 together as a family;
- Read the Declaration of Independence as a family;
- Research the signatories for how their lives and fortunes were impacted;
- Read the Constitution together as a family;
- Discuss freedom from the penalty, power and presence of sin through Jesus.
Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for Your Word and the foundation it provided for the birth of this nation. I confess I have taken freedoms for granted and failed to convey the connection between my love for You and love for this nation under You. Forgive me. An understanding of and appreciation for freedom under You is to be passed on from generation to generation. I commit to have family discussion time across this long weekend to convey the realities of, and responsibility for freedom under You in this great nation. That is the dad You call me to be and that is the dad my kids need to see. Amen.
A faithful father conveys the realities of, and responsibility for freedom under God.
