On July 4th, 1776, Congress approved what we know as “The Declaration of Independence.” Although, it was not until August 2nd, 1776, that all 56 “patriots” had fully signed it, only a handful of which were renowned for their signatures and status which include: John Adams (editor), Samuel Adams, John Hancock (first signature), Benjamin Franklin (editor), and Thomas Jefferson (the author of the final draft). This document was to assert our freedom from Britain following the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Unfortunately, freedom has always come at a price; it has never been free. Countless soldiers have fought in wars to defend liberty, whether they are armed with a sword or a pen. Witnessing plagues before being freed from slavery in Egypt, to slaying giants in the Promised Land or using our voices to influence as activists against oppression such as fascism, to bloody wars leading to self-less sacrifices. We all fight on a different battlefield, but it is a battle.
We fight to be free, for others to be, we fight for our free will. The government tries to steal our independence even today and manipulates us, so we become dependent on their aid for survival. When under British rule, the 13 colonies had harsh regulations placed on them including taxation (WITHOUT representation) and trade restrictions, and this caused financial woes and economy issues. Sound familiar? Britain was very controlling and borderline tyrannical. Some would argue that we are no longer a “Republic,” but a corporation still owned by Britain. The love of money is the root of all evil, and that is what makes this evil world turn. Money is the idol that the lost worship, but our adversary is Satan, the ruler of this world. As Jesus said to the Greeks in John 12:31 — “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” This Scripture was reference to Jesus predicting His death on the cross, and how His sacrifice would free us from debt to sin. By the shedding of His blood, he redeemed us. This is true freedom as mentioned in Galatians 5:1 — “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
One day a year (sometimes all weekend long) we celebrate Independence Day in the same way that John Adams envisioned it! Feasting on food outdoors with music while fireworks light up the night sky. The fireworks pay homage to the gunfire and rockets of war. Which is also mentioned in the song of patriotism called the “Star Spangled Banner” which regards the American flag. Sadly, many trample on that flag with hatred, believing the lies of the enemy that it symbolizes oppression. The name of “Jesus Christ” has also evolved into a curse word as society has drifted further from Biblical principles, the same standards on which this country was founded. “The Declaration of Independence” entails everything the British did against “the people” and even declares: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, 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.” (1776) Thomas Jefferson, et al, July 4, Copy of Declaration of Independence. -07-04. [Manuscript/Mixed Material] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/mtjbib000159/.
In this manuscript, these leaders even explained that should these rights be restricted or taken away, the citizens have the right to change or even do away with the current government. While “we the people” still have a say, our government still gets away with tyranny in disguise today. Every “Fourth of July” we should commemorate everyone that fights for justice and liberty for all and remember our “unalienable rights” as humans. We are not born as animals in cages, we should embrace our freedom both with our homeland and our freedom in Christ. These three rights are not only human rights established in a legally binding document but are also God-given rights. Life is a gift from the Lord. Genesis 2:7 reveals the creation of the first man — “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” In Hebrew, the word “Ruach” translates to mean both breath and spirit, so therefore we are not only physical but spiritual beings with the right to life. We are spirits and souls with a BODY, and our body is temporal whereas our spirit and soul is eternal. Let me emphasize that it is not the just the body that has the rights but who we are beyond the shell while on this earth. In the Garden of Eden, the fall of man resulted from Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit from the Tree of The Knowledge of Good and Evil. When this happened so did corruption of the world; roses grew thorns, and childbirth was cursed to be painful labor. It was easy for man to be deceived and take from that tree, but there is a Tree of Life (Holy Spirit) which dwells in the saved believers, and that is difficult for the lost to eat from that tree. In Romans 6:23 we learn — “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.” Jesus paid that price when he was crucified on the old rugged cross. He gave us the gift of life, and everyone even the unbelievers have a right to live, because they also have access to salvation through finding and accepting Christ as their Savior.
Liberty is the second “unalienable right,” it means freedom. But in Hebrew there are three distinct types of freedom: “Hofesh,” which means religious freedom (relates to the 1st amendment in the US Constitution), “Herut,” which was the name of a major conservative nationalist party in Israel, inspired by Revisionist Zionism. The goal of this group was to bring unity to Israel. Zionism is linked to the Biblical “Horim” (Horites) also known as ministers in Genesis 36:20-29. Conservatives are often attacked, persecuted, and mocked by many, especially Christians. I identify as a Conservative (right-wing), defined as a group that values tradition (Biblical principles for instance), and supports free enterprise. There are 5 components to free enterprise: economic freedom, voluntary exchange, private property rights, profit motive, and competition.
Those that are Liberal (left-wing) claim to promote freedom of rights but encourage control. Through their ideals, we become dependent on other countries for our resources, we have trade restrictions, capitalism is challenged with socialist (likened to communism) ideas, they believe that profit motive will compromise ethics, yet they have pushed certain subjects such as going electric for vehicles when we all know those batteries that power those cars are doing more harm to the environment than fossil fuels (lithium mines deplete water). Petroleum is natural to the earth; it is when other chemicals are added that it can become a hazard, but it is less harmful to this earth. Most of the left-wing party’s ideologies oppose the right-wing’s views. There is pro-choice versus pro-life, gun control versus the right to bear arms, socialist versus capitalism, democracy versus republic, and white privilege versus equality. The list goes on, but we see a theme of control on the left and freedom on the right. The third type of freedom is called “Dror,” and this means true liberty for all. It also means sparrow. Even the sparrows are worthy of flying free, so are we also worthy of God’s love and the right to live with a free will. Remember Matthew 6:26 — “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Our worth is tied to our equality, we were all made equal and certainly if God loves and provides for the birds of the air, why would he not love and care for the sinner or the saint? John 8:36 — “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
The third of these God-given rights is the pursuit of happiness. Joy also means jubilation, which is defined as triumph. Many people believe joy is just something you feel but the true meaning is that we have assurance from the Lord and are confident. Colossians 2:2 defines true confidence — “That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ.” We are overcomers, those that have overcome the world. Romans 12:2 emphasizes — “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” On the 4th of July, we celebrate so much more than declaring our independence from another country, we celebrate the gift of life itself and what it means to be human. Galatians 5:13 — “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” This is a creed to live by. Declare your independence today!
Michelle Warr
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