As we enter the 244th year of the independence of these United States, it seems more than appropriate that we pause and consider what “independence” means, from whence it originates, and, perhaps most importantly, how it can be preserved for future generations.
At the heart of the Declaration of Independence is a legal and logical argument, which can be summarized like this:
The King of England has persisted in continual wrongdoing against the rights of the people of the American colonies and the dissolution of the previous relationship between Great Britain and the American colonies is the reasonable and sensible remedy for that continual wrongdoing.
Well, that’s all well and good but doesn’t it presuppose that the affairs of nations are governed by an objective standard of right and wrong?
Well, yes, it does. In fact, the Declaration contains a list of 27 grievances against the king. But without a transcendent standard for right and wrong, any listing of perceived wrongs would be nothing but an exercise in nonsense.
Perhaps this is why our founders dealt with this essential element of their argument in the very first sentence. They referenced the “Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.” In other words, they said the standard for right and wrong was God’s Word.
So…the Declaration is direct evidence that American independence was…and still is…based upon a universal acceptance of God‘s Word and his law as authoritative, complete and controlling in all matters.
This is why it is so disappointing to hear foolish voices of recent presidential debates rejecting the moral law — rejecting God standards of right and wrong — and ignorantly and foolishly working against their own interest and the interest of future Americans.
America’s founders properly understood that rights come from God. Therefore, we have no right to do what God has declared to be wrong. There exists no rights for non-Americans to illegally enter the United States. There is no right to murder one’s child. There is no such thing as same-sex marriage. All of these perverse behaviors are unlawful and are in contra-position to the underlying philosophy of American law and government.
And here’s one more crucial thing to remember about Independence Day:
Our ancestors’ Biblical understanding of right and wrong would have no historic significance absent their commitment to boldly defend their God-given rights.
Our founders didn’t just declare and propose — they also saw it as their duty to organize and fight. Indeed, they risked their fortunes and their lives to defend this thing called “independence. ”
So…Our celebration of Independence Day should include a recitation and a demonstration to America’s children regarding the depth of their commitment. Their bitter struggle — their bloody sacrifice speaks to their Love of liberty. They believed!!! And they acted!!!
They are to be honored and imitated.
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