As I was reflecting on the upcoming 4th of July Holiday I began to think about what it means to be free. There are so many freedoms that we take for granted every day; The right to free speech, the right to worship as we choose, the right to bear arms and protect our families and homes, the right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. These are all “unalienable rights” that most people in other countries are deprived of. God given privileges that many have, and would, risk their lives in order to obtain.
With that being said, why are so many willing to surrender these rights? In fact, where do our rights come from? The Government, business, or world religions?
Let’s see…The Declaration of Independence says,
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that all men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…”
According to our founding Fathers, these “rights” come from our Creator. And if these rights come from our Creator, then no man, or established Government, has a “right” to take them away. In fact, according to the Declaration of Independence, “to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
This document, along with the faith of our founding fathers, was the foundation of our Constitution. President John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
This Independence Day, celebrate your freedom. Remember the men and women who have died over the centuries to protect freedom. Love the Creator who enabled your right to freedom. And NEVER let anyone try to take away your freedom.
Remember, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” – Patrick Henry (Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution)
God bless you and may God bless America!