“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, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. 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.”

http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/freedom/doi/text.html

These famous words make up the concluding paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, the document that declared our freedom from the British Kingdom.  As a country based upon freedom and civil rights we have been blessed greatly by God.  And although these freedoms are not permanent in nature (it seems as if some of these freedoms may be slipping through our fingers); I can easily declare that the United States of America is still the greatest and most blessed country in the world.

It is a privilege to live here. The saddest part of our celebration of our Independence is that we have forgotten to thank our Lord for the freedom He has given to us!  If you notice, in the very same paragraph that declares our freedoms, the founding fathers declared the source of their strength as they stood in opposition to the British government…. “, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence”.  That’s right!  Our founding fathers made it plain that they had the courage to stand up and declare our freedom from Britain because they were trusting in the providence of Almighty God to protect them.

Even John Adams, as he wrote to his wife Abigail, referenced the need to worship and honor God on the anniversary of his signing the declaration (July 2^nd)… “The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)

As great as these freedoms are, our Lord offers us even greater, eternal freedoms that can never be lost or taken.  Why do so many of us totally disregard these freedoms, and their Giver, as well?

THE SCRIPTURE: Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (Joh 8:31-36)

THE STUDY: Our Lord, in His Word declares that we can receive freedom from our sin in three different ways (Rom 6:7-23):

Firstly, we can receive freedom from our sin’s penalty (Rom 5:16)

Second, we can be continually made free from sin’s power in our lives (Rom 6:18)

Finally, we can be made free from sin’s presence throughout eternity (Rom 6:22) This is true freedom which can never be taken away nor lost.  Our Lord offers this freedom from sin to anyone who will trust in Him and turn from their sin to serve Him as Lord of their life.   (Acts 26:18)

THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION:

For those who have been liberated from their sin… we should praise and thank our Lord for all the freedoms He has so graciously given to us.  Also, we should want to share His message of truth to the world so that they might share in this freedom as well. For those who have never been freed from sin and it’s effects in your life, look to the Lord, His word and His work, for the source of true liberty from sin.

Read John 8:12-51 for more information. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”(Joh 8:36)

If you have any questions concerning this blog, or if you have a subject you would like discussed, please feel free to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com.    I will answer all emails via my blog, email, or both.

Read my Squidoo Instructional Lens “Presenting God’s Grace”  “The Solemn Obligation To Present the Doctrines of Grace to the Lost and Saved Alike” http://www.squidoo.com/presenting-gods-grace

May the Lord bless your study of His Word. Like God’s Word… may your soul’s salvation and your life’s faithfulness be “Settled in Heaven.”

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