This year we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the declaration of Independence. It was a bold and future altering moment, when a congress of American representatives of the original 13 colonies, now called states, declared that they could no longer endure to live under the tyranny of the British King. The declaration is clear and precise, regarding who would now rule the land we call America. It spells out with razor sharp clarity, the offences that had been conducted against the people of those 13 colonies by the king of England.
Though it was July 4th of the year 1776 in Philadelphia when that the declaration was made, it would take about five weeks for the British government to learn of it. Since the revolution had already begun in Lexington and Concord in April of 1776, this was more than simply a group of rebels making trouble but a clear statement of intent to be free as a nation. This declaration would cost over 6 years of war and 25,000 deaths out of a population of 2.5 million people. The freedom we enjoy as a nation was paid for by the blood of many and a war hard won. I would encourage all to take time to read the entire declaration as it spells out well why independence was necessary and the gravity of what was being declared.
It’s good to remember where we have come from and what has transpired in the past. We must not forget that what we enjoy today was paid for by those we will never know. To forget is to repeat the mistakes of the past and to once again find ourselves in bondage.
Yet there is another document that was written that gives great clarity regarding the state of affairs for all of mankind. It begins with the words “In The Beginning God” traverses the events of man’s fall and enslavement. It too clearly lays out the offences that man has perpetrated against a Holy God and why death was the only just and right judgment. This document crescendos with the words “IT IS FINISHED!” as Christ completes His mission on a hill called Golgotha. As great an achievement the birth of this nation was and the freedom we now enjoy, it pales in comparison to the freedom we have from sin and death through the finished work of Christ on the Cross. Paul states in Galatians 5:1 “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” The price paid for this freedom was not years of war or the loss of many lives, but the one cataclysmic event at the focal point of history when the very Son of God willingly gave his life on a instrument of death meant for the worst of criminals. God Himself would die because no human life or any amount of animal sacrifices was enough to pay for your sin or my sin. This one event would change not only the events of the future on this earth but would reach into eternity for the glory of the Father. We remember the death of Christ whenever we gather as believers to eat the Lord Supper. We do this to show His death to those around us and to remind ourselves what it took for our freedom to be secured. We must not forget that what we enjoy today was paid for by our Savior with whom we now have a living relationship. He is not some historical figure in the dusty pages of history now dead and gone but rather is the living and abiding savior of all mankind who forever lives to make intersession for me and for you. We must remember so that we too would not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
So as we gather to celebrate and remember the birth of this great nation, let us also remember and give thanks to the one who gave us true and everlasting freedom that can never be taken away.
Cornerstone Community Church 