Happy Fourth of July: Let Freedom Ring!

The Importance of the Fourth of July

For all Americans, the Fourth of July should hold great importance. It’s a celebration of the freedom we have in this country. For Christians, it should take on even greater significance as we reflect on the Judea-Christian principles on which it was founded.

However, a day set apart to commemorate the freedom gained by the sacrifice of many can get lost in the passage of time and the allure of fun. In our zeal to celebrate with a day off work, fireworks, and picnics we may overlook the deeper meaning of the day: the sacrifices made to secure our freedom, temporally and eternally.

The Cost of Freedom

The Church influenced the beliefs of the founders of the United States of America. Even those who did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ understood the importance of incorporating godly principles in the founding of this country. They did so at a great price.

In a favorite book of mine, For You They Signed, the author, Marilyn Boyer, quotes John Quincy Adams, “You will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.”

I pray Americans never forget (or take for granted) the sacrifice those 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence made to found a country that guarantees individual freedom. Most of them endured great hardships, with many of them losing everything they owned. Let’s “make good use” of the price they paid for our liberty.

More importantly, I pray Christians never forget (or take for granted) the sacrifice Jesus Christ made to secure our freedom from sin. He suffered horribly, giving up His very life for us. Let’s “make good use” of the price He paid for our eternal life.

The Importance of Remembering

President Woodrow Wilson realized the importance of remembering: “A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do. We are trying to do a futile thing if we do not know where we have come from, or what we have been about.”

God also knew its importance, exhorting and commanding us to recall, recite, and share His work in our lives. He knew that if we do not remember that we were dead in our sins yesterday, we won’t appreciate today the priceless gift we’ve received in Jesus’ death and resurrection.

So, let your Fourth of July celebrations remind you of the sacrifice of our country’s founders. But also let the day’s celebrations remind you of Jesus Christ’s greater sacrifice for our souls.

Happy Fourth of July/Independence Day!

Reflections: How much do you know about America’s founders? How much do you know about the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for you? What difference will either answer mean for the celebration of the Fourth of July?