People founded the United States of America because they wanted freedom—freedom to live their lives as Christians without the government telling them how to do it. Freedom to have a say in the way their lives would be governed; to choose their leaders and give their input on what laws should be set up to secure their rights. They were so convinced that this was good and right that they risked their lives in small boats, on dangerous seas, and with poor food supplies in order to get to this continent—the New World.
European kings, however, tried to keep their hold on the people who had left and gone to America, and tried to control them by imposing laws on the colonies which made life miserable. When the conduct of royalty became unbearable, the people of thirteen colonies which had ties to Great Britain, declared their independence from their home country and became the United States of America. They made the unique claim 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.” The British king tried to subject them again to the yoke of his sovereignty, but many gave their lives to achieve the independence and freedom which we enjoy today.
This land is indeed the “land of the free,” as those who have lived under, and emigrated from totalitarian governments truly appreciate. There the governments have all the rights and only give their people such privileges as they feel like from time to time. Here we, the people, have rights which no government action can take from us. Here there is a breathtaking display of rights which amaze those used to the repressive laws they experience in their home lands. That is what makes the United States of America the greatest nation in the world!
A freedom which is of even greater importance to Christians, is the freedom from sin achieved for us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Many of His early followers, believing that they had been freed from their sins by His sacrifice, willingly gave their lives for their beliefs. The church was persecuted by those who, fearing they would lose control of the people, gave men like Saul the authority to bind and imprison believers. The church could not be stopped, however, and became a movement which spread through all nations just as predicted in Scripture.
We, as Christians privileged to live in this great land, can give thanks through our Lord that we are able freely to practice our beliefs. Let us bask in our glorious freedoms—spiritual, social, and political—on this coming Independence Day.