July 4 Happy Interdependence Day!

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

-Declaration of Independence

It was the summer of 1776 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Delegates from thirteen colonies gathered to "Mutually pledge to each other their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor" (1) to support the Declaration of Independence.

Each man knew the dangers and risks as he waited to add his signature to the document. The moment he made this pledge, he committed an act of treason against the British government.

Historically, the punishment for treason was death. Even if he wasn't captured and killed by the British government, he knew that from this day forward, he, his family, his businesses, his homes, and his fortune would be targeted for ruin by the British government.

As he stood in line waiting to sign, each man knew they weren't just sending a letter to the King of England. They were declaring war. A war they could win or lose. There was no turning back once he added his name to this document. He was putting everything on the line for the sake of freedom.

Still, fifty-six men from different colonies, backgrounds, professions, and religions signed their names to the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776.

One of the questions I often ask myself is, "Why did they do it?"

What drove these men to risk losing everything they held dear in their lives for a freedom they had only imagined?

Why would they risk their lives, their family's lives, and everything they had worked toward to declare war on a stronger, richer, and far more powerful government than their own?

The only answer I can find is that these men yearned for freedom more than anything else in life. They wanted it and had to have it so much that they risked everything for it. They understood the cost of freedom, and having counted it, they pledged to pay whatever price was necessary to be free.

Why did they do it? They did it because they understood something we do not---they understood what it meant to live without freedom.

When they were given the opportunity to be free, they seized the day like a starving man who craved food. With their signature, they screamed, "Whatever it takes, I will pay the price!"

Every freedom we enjoy is ours because fifty-six men stood in line many years ago and declared "Independence!" from England's King.

Sometimes, we Americans tend to take our freedom for granted. We forget that our freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom to make our own choices and live our own lives came at the price of someone else's life.

As we celebrate their triumph and the inherited rewards, I ask myself, "What can I do to follow in their footsteps?"

Because even now, freedom is not free. The great nation we love can be lost if we don't do our part to protect it. Still, as a middle-aged man with a disability, what can I do to fight for freedom? What can we all do?

1. I can pray for my country.

Over the past year, the Holy Spirit has repeatedly reminded me of the importance of praying for our country. Worrying, watching the news, and posting on social media do very little to change the direction of our nation. But prayer is powerful.

More than anything, our country needs a revival. We need a revival where people come to know Jesus, turn from their sins, and return to Biblical principles. Not so churches can be filled, and Christians can get all the "Pentecostal feels" (I'm not saying that's wrong, but we need more).

If America will remain free, we need to turn back to God. If we love our country, we must intercede for its salvation and a revival that changes people's hearts and minds.

2. We must reject sin and obey God's laws.

2 Chronicles 7:14 says,

"Then, if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land." (NLT)

America has a massive sin problem. It isn't enough to rail against an ungodly culture and say, "They need to change."

Instead, we need to obey 1 Chronicles 7 and examine ourselves. As we humble ourselves and pray, we must be open to the Holy Spirit's conviction and remove any wickedness from our hearts.

Don't think your sin is as bad as what you see around you?

It doesn't matter--sin is sin. Repentance starts in the house of God.

National revival starts in our prayer closets--as we humble ourselves, repent of any sins, change, and intercede for our country.

3. We need to know what the Bible says and be willing to stand firm for truth.

When our society has rejected Biblical values, truth, and even common sense and embraced lies and sin, a patriot who loves their country must know what the Bible says and lovingly stand for truth.

We can't go along with lies to make people comfortable.

Truth is truth. God's ways will not change. When confronted with evil and lies, we must know what the Bible says and be willing to stand for the truth.

Will it be uncomfortable? Yes.

Will it be difficult? Uh, yeah.

But you know what else was difficult?

Freezing and going without food at Valley Forge.

Writing and signing the Declaration of

Independence, knowing their actions marked them as traitors, and if captured, they would be tortured and die.

Our founding fathers sacrificed so much so that we could be free. What are we willing to sacrifice to stay free?

In 1776, freedom had a cost. It still has a price in 2025. An unbreakable man will pay this price.

Bibliography:

1. The Editors of the Encyclopedia Britannica. "Text of the Declaration of Independence." Britannica, 5 Jul. 2024, www.britannica.com/topic/Declaration-of-Independence/Text-of-the-Declaration-of-Independence. Accessed 12 Aug. 2024.