President John
Quincy Adams once stated: “In the chain of human events, the birthday of the
nation (America) is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration
of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first
precepts of Christianity.” This being the case, where have we as a people gone
wrong? Why have we strayed so far to the left?
Over the
course of decades and centuries since our nation’s founding, we have become permissive,
slothful and negligent in our civic duties. Sure, we may follow some of the big
political news and vote on Election Day. But are we evaluating our government’s
actions by the rule of law set forth in the Constitution? When we examine and
discuss new policy proposals, is our first question how the proposal will
affect us personally, or is it whether the proposal is a constitutionally
proper use of government power? Are we promoting liberty and then using our
freedom for virtuous ends?
Those of us
who really love America and all our flag represents should reflect on those
questions this 4th of July. Our nation’s illustrious history cannot
sustain a real and lasting patriotism forever. We must move beyond superficial
displays and emotive song lyrics and apply some tough love to our
long-neglected nation.
In a deeply
divided America celebrations like Independence Day provide a heaven-sent awning
that for the short time conceals our many differences with one another, thereby
creating the deception of unison or partisanship. The differences are most
often viewed as geopolitical. On the surface they are. On the other hand, do we
not differ in our views of our government’s efforts on our behalf? Some would
say yes. Or it’s yoke of taxation, government bureaucracy and police power as
others would describe it.
News flash
from the past: The original colonists were divided over similar things, which
is why the Declaration of Independence still stirs many emotions. The power the
colonists derided against was England’s repressive Monarch, who viewed the
colonists as no more than serfs to be exploited for the benefit of England’s
greater good. Yet the colonists had one thing we today lack. The colonists had
an all-embracing love and respect of the Christian religion. Furthermore, they
opposed the king’s position of power as it related to him being the head of the
Christian Church of England. By defying the throne, colonists risked their
lives to restore their faith and freedom under the leadership of Christian patriots
not a Crown Head of State.
A closer analysis of today’s
America would see a similar difference underlying the many political divides
and cultural hostilities running rampant within our republic. It is apparent
many in America, to include legislative, judicial and executive representatives
have acquiescently declared their independence from Jesus Christ, who was in
the beginning with God. Where does Jesus walk today? He walks among the
lampstands of America’s once fiery church dais or pulpits but sees no flame of independence
burning on His behalf. Sad is it not that the light that burned so radiantly
has grown dim? Benjamin Franklin once observed at the Constitutional
Convention: “And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is
it probable that an Empire can rise without His aid?” I ask, can a prosperous
and powerful nation remain so having deviated, strayed or fallen to such depths
of detestation or abomination?
On this Independence Day, dare I say
America, her leaders and clergy have made the same mistake every other nation
that arose with His assistance has also made. Did we not take the blessings He
afforded us? Have we, as a nation not turned a blind eye to Him? Today, knowingly or not, the
majority of America celebrates Independence Day as their independence from God.
They are not only, appallingly wrong but ruinously and eternally misguided.
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