Today is the 4th of July, a time for food, fellowship, and fireworks. But for the American Christian, it is a time for so much more. It is a day to remember and reflect on the fact that we are a nation that was founded on and rooted in Christian principles. Do you doubt it? Let’s ask our founding fathers.
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. George Washington
To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political and social happiness which mankind now enjoys. In proportion as the genuine effects of Christianity are diminished in any nation, either through unbelief, or the corruption of its doctrines, or the neglect of its institutions; in the same proportion will the people of that nation recede from the blessings of genuine freedom, and approximate the miseries of complete despotism. Jedidiah Morse
The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity. John Quincy Adams
These, and many other matters which might be noticed, add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a Christian nation. United States Supreme Court, “Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States”
Regardless of what we hear politicians, members of the liberal media, or history revisionists saying today, our great nation was founded on Christian principles and the freedom to worship the God who is — the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of revelation — not a god of our own imagination.
Our founding fathers not only pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, they also pledged allegiance to their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. 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 loves me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
Their ultimate allegiance was to the Almighty. They were devoted to Him. They were dedicated to Him. They were dyed-in-the-wool for Him. Their entire existence was rooted in their right relationship with their Redeemer. And that, beloved, is to be the confession of the lives of all those Christians who pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and every other Christian around the world, regardless of what flag they pledge allegiance to.
On this day when we in the United States of America commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring our independence from the kingdom of Great Britain, let us meditate on our own declaration of dependence upon 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 the Lord of lords. When we declare that we are 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 dirty tree, hung between two thieves to pay the penalty for every one of our sins — past, present, and still to come. We are His and no other’s, and He will tolerate no rival.
So as you prepare to enjoy your Fourth of July celebration today, please remember to pause and give thanks to the One who purchased your independence from the kingdom of the prince of this world. Jesus Christ has brought you out of darkness into His wonderful 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 flag of the United States of America and to our triune God in heaven — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 