Ramon Arias | June 30, 2014
Another 4th of July that could be a meaningless tradition no different than past years, or, one that could lead to deep soul searching for those wanting to know the truth about the difference between the America of the Declaration of Independence and the America of our times, which hardly resembles it.
The American colonies of the late 18th century were Christians, for the most part, that cherished and valued character. They were colonists that understood the importance of God’s government and His moral law in all areas of life and the role they play in self-government and education for all under God’s principles.
When part of the colonists could no longer tolerate the oppressive imposition by the monarchy on their lives, they saw all this as evidence of tyranny and no longer the freedom given by God. The Declaration of Independence listed 27 grievances that prompted them to declare their separation from Britain. The American colonists became divided into three groups: the patriots who wanted their independence from Britain, the loyalists who did not want the colonies to dissolve the bonds with England and others who for various reasons were “neutral.” The War for Independence started with a divided society. The patriots won the war and the right to a new experimental form of government.
In the second paragraph of the Declaration, it is stated: “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.”
They knew the truth that all men are created equal and how wrong it was to practice slavery in such an inexcusable and inhumane way. They knew it was a direct violation to God’s moral law and order: “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death” (Exodus 21:16). Resistance to free all slaves was judged by the rules of heaven in the 19th century.
As we continue through this earthly journey, even as we speak, we clearly know that the American experiment form of government has gone awry. The progressives, a.k.a. humanists/liberals/socialists/communists/Marxists, dominate America for the most part. Their anti-God ideas and their monkey religion (evolution) are much in control in all areas of society.
We are a deeply divided nation and in grave danger of total collapse if we continue to ignore that it was God Almighty, who in 1620 moved the hearts of the pilgrim families to establish a biblically-based society, which became a shining light upon a hill for all the world to see that the Almighty rules in the affairs of men and nations.
This 4th of July let it be a mirror to your soul and the soul of America. As you consider in-depth the meaning of the Declaration of Independence as the official unmistakable document where the American people declared to the world their convictions and belief and faith in the God of the Bible.
The Declaration of Independence leaves no room for any second-guessing that this is God’s country. Human rights are God-given. When Christians relinquish those rights they cannot expect God to honor or bless them. The Declaration clearly upholds God’s existence as “self-evident” and in order to verify this truth we do not have to consult men’s knowledge, but go directly to the Revealed Word of God, the Scriptures, the Bible, which is the ultimate source and authority of knowledge, understanding and wisdom for mankind.
The Declaration of Independence makes five references to God, two in the first paragraph, one in the second and two in the last paragraph. He is the Creator of all men and nature. It is He who holds the power of creation and as the Supreme Lawmaker: “For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; he will save us” (Isaiah 33:22).
Life and liberty are the unalienable gifts of God. There is no mistake in the Declaration about God being the source of these rights and not men. No one, including institutions, can legitimately take those rights. The civil government was instituted to secure, protect and defend these God-given individual rights. Up until July 2, 1776, when Congress voted to approve the separation from Great Britain, it was the second time in history human government changed from a dominant role to one of a servant. The first time this ever happened was when God liberated Israel after 430 years of slavery in Egypt. At Mount Sinai, the Israelites received the moral law of God that was to be the foundation not only for them but also for all nations.
The signers of the Declaration of Independence were passionate about their God-given rights by upholding: “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…” Elected and non-elected officials are public servants not “masters” or “gods” of society. “You may indeed set a king over you whom the Lord your God will choose. One from among your brothers you shall set as king over you. You may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother” (Deuteronomy 17:15). “…their ruler shall come out from their midst; I will make him draw near, and he shall approach me, for who would dare of himself to approach me? declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 30:21).
The men who signed the Declaration of Independence were visionaries and very courageous to stand against the most powerful Empire and war machine of their time. In their concluding words before their signatures, the Declaration stated: “We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in general Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions…. 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.”
Many of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence paid the ultimate price, some suffered incarceration, property confiscation and lost their fortunes. Liberty, as Jesus’ example at the cross, will always be a reminder that there is a price to be paid in order for people to be free. The signers of the Declaration understood this, and they were excited for future generations to keep the fire of God’s liberty aflame.
That flame that burned in their hearts and their minds for liberty was their common goal of unity in the conviction that God rules Supreme and His Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords. The Founding Fathers were men of biblical faith and serious students of the Word of God. They had no conflict in understanding that the moral law of God is the foundation of self-government applied to all social institutions.
We hear much about the coming convention of the states to amend the Constitution. What we learned from the first Constitution is that men make terrible mistakes when they decide to abandon the moral law of God. On the other hand, we know the ungodly have been promoting the idea that the Constitution is a living document, that is to say: “let us ignore it because it no longer applies and move on without it.” Here is something for you to remember and keep it in your heart, your mind and proclaim it with persuasion for all to hear: that the Declaration of Independence should never be surrendered to those with evil intentions for modification or amendments. Never forget this is an official document.
God has put the future of this nation in the hands of His people. I urge you to become knowledgeable and thoroughly acquainted with the Declaration of Independence and pay close attention to the reasons God is mentioned in this official document. The issue of taxes was only one grievance of the 27. Start this learning journey and may the Holy Spirit reveal to you the spirit of 1620 and 1776 and what you must do to make the difference. Do not minimize what God can do through you.