[234 words]
This week we will celebrate another “Fourth of July.” I enjoy the hot dogs and the fireworks and especially the arrival of family. Yet, l always contemplate the history of what happened back in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 courageous men. They, and many others of their generation, paid a tremendous price for our freedom.
The Christian’s Declaration of Independence was also gained at a tremendous price of blood when our redemption was purchased by Jesus’ sacrifice (Ephesians 1:7). We signed our name to the Declaration when we were baptized into a relationship with Christ and His death (Romans 6:1-7). It took some courage for each one who has signed on to publicly declare that they were turning their backs on the world and would now give their lives to Christ.
The present generation may not fully appreciate what the original signers of the Declaration accomplished for all future generations. Our own times seem to be moving in a direction away from the original intent of those early patriots and from the moral principles that guided them. It may also be true that as Christians we could find ourselves slipping back into the ways of the world and enslaving ourselves all over again. We always have the choice as to which direction we go, so with the patriot, Joshua, let us declare: ”…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
Guy Orbison, Jr.
Church of Christ
Durango, CO