Faith | Let’s remember why we celebrate the Fourth of July
The Fourth of July brings to mind many things to each of us—special family gatherings, yummy food, fireworks, warm summer nights and other fun things.
My wife and I always tried to make July 4th a very special time for our daughters as they were growing up. We would take them to watch the fireworks on the river, or go to a friend’s house that would treat us to their amazing display of personal fireworks, or even just sit in our driveway and watch the glorious panoramic show all around us.
Of course, sparklers were often involved and a magical delight for all to enjoy. We sometimes, also, enjoyed a celebration at our church that included a potluck and bike parade where bikes were decorated to the max and then paraded around the neighborhood.
But most importantly, we taught our young daughters the meaning behind why we celebrated the Fourth of July.
In its simplest form, they understood that it was their country’s birthday and as the years went by they came to appreciate the depth of what it actually meant.
Another name for July 4th is Independence Day, which commemorates when America declared its independence from England in 1776 after years of abuses of individual rights and taxation without representation. Part of the written declaration states that, “all men were created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.“ Therefore, natural rights are God-given not originating from government but are meant to be protected by government.
Our forefathers who signed the Declaration of Independence risked their lives, fortunes and sacred honor, and the well-being of their families, trusting that God would bless their endeavor. Countless others sacrificed or died in the Revolutionary War to gain our independence from England so their posterity could have a better life.
In 1787, the Constitution was written starting out with, “We the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect Union ... .”. The Bill of Rights followed which was added to the Constitution in 1791 to guarantee our individual rights.
The first amendment guaranteed our most sacred right in having the free exercise of our religious beliefs. Today, we have the oldest written constitution still in existence in the world, and it continues to protect our liberty and freedoms.
As John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
James Madison stated, “Religion is the basis and Foundation of Government.”
George Washington said in his Farewell Address, “Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
Our nation was founded on the belief in an almighty, sovereign, just, and loving creator God. God gives us his principles to live by, whereas mankind tends to promote situational ethics which eventually result in chaos.
The American government was designed to protect our lives, liberty, and property from external and internal threats. It was also designed in such a way that there would be limited and local power so that government wouldn’t become tyrannical.
Similar to the freedom our forefathers gave us from the British, Jesus Christ gives us freedom from the bondage of sin. He sacrificed himself to be brutally crucified on a Roman cross, and as he predicted, rose from the grave three days later.
His loving act was necessary because all mankind is sinful, deserving of punishment. But Jesus took our punishment and died in our place.
We now have a choice to trust in Christ as Savior and Lord, accept his forgiveness and receive his perfect righteousness. Rather than living in bondage to sin and spending eternity in hell, we can one day live in happiness forever in his heavenly kingdom.
As we celebrate Independence Day, may we be thankful for the many God-given blessings that we enjoy in this wonderful country.
Happy Birthday, America!
Lee Walter is Sunday School superintendent at Columbia Bible Church in Kennewick and vice chairman of the Tri-Cities Child Evangelism Fellowship. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99338. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.
