Friday, July 4, 2008
July 4th, Indepence, and true Freedom
The Second Continental Congress voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. It was then that the colonies formally and most decisively declared that they would be under no one's rule, save that government created by the "consent of the governed." Today is the day citizens and friends of the United States celebrate socio-political freedom (I borrowed that phrase, but I can't recall where). Let Christians in the United States of America join with others in this nation to celebrate the great value of that freedom. Can anyone disagree that it is better to live under a democratic/republican form of self-government than it is to live under a totalitarian regime of any stripe? At the same time, let believers be clear: as wonderful as socio-political freedom is, it is not the freedom won for us in Christ Jesus. It is not that for which Christ died. Neither is the success of the gospel is tied to, or dependent upon an American form of freedom. God is God whether socio-political freedom exists for us or not. Let us be thankful for this freedom, but let us never confuse it with anything lasting -- or anything distinctively Christian.
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3 comments:
so, you're saying that the union war anthmn sung by the choir last sunday in a service billed as the worship of the Most High Lord God Almighty was a bit over the top? maybe?
Anonymous,
I can't claim to have had in mind anything sung on Sunday, July 6th because I posted this little paragraph on freedom on July 4th. What I was trying to say was that freedom in Christ, the sort of freedom Jesus had in mind when he said "...the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31f), is not something that any nation can offer. Only Christ offers true, ultimate freedom -- freedom from sin and its consequences.
I heard through the grapevine that someone left you a disturbing note. While I may disagree with you sometimes, I pray that we all can continue to discuss our faith in a loving and respectful dialogue that pleases Our Creator.
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