This is the last post in a series. Here are links to the previous posts.
- What Is A Republic?
- Upon What Principles Did The Founders Base Our Government?
- Upon What Principles Do We Base The Government We Have Today?
- What Are The Signs That Our Republic Is About To Fall?
Last week we celebrated Independence Day. That’s a day that many people use to party just for the sake of partying. Some, however, still take the take the time to consider what the men and the women who founded the United States accomplished when they fought for their independence. Some even do so several days after the festivities have died down. :-)
As Our Republic Works Towards Its Demise, What Are We Losing?
To understand The United States Constitution — why it was written as it was written — we could read a library full of books. However, I believe there is one document that explains the matter. That’s the Declaration of Independence. With its adoption on September 17, 1787, The United States Constitution began to implement the sort of government the writers of the Declaration of Independence proposed and fought for beginning in 1775 (see the American Revolutionary War). As John Adams understood, that’s why it is no accident we celebrate Independence Day, not Constitution Day.
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 Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. — I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. — Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not. (from here)
When the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, the men who signed that document risked execution by the British Crown. Yet they chose to sign, and because of their courage the people of the 13 American colonies made a commitment to God and each other. That’s why the Declaration of Independence ends as it does.
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. (from here)
John 15:11-17 Good News Translation (GNT)
11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you. 13 The greatest love you can have for your friends is to give your life for them. 14 And you are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because servants do not know what their master is doing. Instead, I call you friends, because I have told you everything I heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me; I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit, the kind of fruit that endures. And so the Father will give you whatever you ask of him in my name. 17 This, then, is what I command you: love one another.
How can men and women who are friends of God be anyone’s servant? We can lay down our lives for our friends — as many who have served this nation have done, but God’s friends cannot in their heart be anyone’s slaves and still be obedient to Christ Jesus.
- Happy Fourth of July America (votingamerican.wordpress.com)
- Our Declaration of Independance Explained (notablequotesnsuch.wordpress.com)
- The Fourth Of July 2013 A.D. – Patrick Henry And Others (thatmrgguy.wordpress.com)
- Independence Day 2013 ~ A Promise (kellertxdad.com)
- The Declaration of Independence: You Really Should Read It (jeriannfisher.wordpress.com)
- An “Out Loud” Fourth (ladylibertee.wordpress.com)
- The Declaration of Independence (mbtimetraveler.com)
- A real patriot is the fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works! (caulkwarmer.wordpress.com)