Independence: How We Got It and How to Keep It

Independence. The exercise of self-government; self-sufficiency.

That was what the thirteen American colonies of Great Britain were declaring themselves to be in July of 1776. They were declaring it, but they then had to prove that they were indeed self-sufficient and independent by defeating militarily the greatest military power in the world at the time.

To that end, 56 eminent men pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to prove the reality of their declaration. It was not a light commitment they were making; it was costly to each of them in some way.

Of the men who signed the Declaration, five were captured and tortured to death. Twelve had their homes ransacked and destroyed. Two lost sons to combat during the subsequent War for Independence. Two others' sons were captured and ill treated by their enemies. Nine of the signers died from wounds or hardships suffered while fighting in the war. Others were forced to flee constantly to avoid capture and to hide their families to protect them from retaliation. Almost all of them were impoverished, and some had to declare bankruptcy.

No, it was no easy decision for them to sign the Declaration. But they all thought that what the nation stood to gain was worth it. But even more people than those 56 also paid a heavy price. Of the American combatants in the war, 25,534 died. Even more appalling, anywhere from 25,000 to 75,000 civilians died, not from combat but from the stresses and deprivations resulting from the war.

It was far easier to write and sign the Declaration than it was to prove it to be a reality.

Ever since, Americans have enjoyed the fruits of that independence that was first declared and then made reality. We celebrate today the day when those 56 patriots signed the Declaration. (Actually, they signed it on July 2, but who's quibbling over that "minor" detail?)

One of those early American patriots who signed the Declaration later became the second president of the new nation. John Adams wrote from Philadelphia to his wife Abigail on July 3 describing how he thought future generations of Americans should commemorate the occasion:

"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 Parades, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."

In a sense, we have followed Adams's advice every since, at least the latter part of it. We have, however, gotten so caught up with that part that we never give a thought to the former part of his advice, that is, "Acts of Devotion to God Almighty." We treat Independence Day much as we treat Christmas, when we focus primarily on the gifts rather than on the Giver of the greatest gift of all, His Son, the Savior. We enjoy and celebrate our freedom and the blessings derived from it without acknowledging the Source.

Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). He also identified that truth: "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). If we know Him, we are "free indeed" (John 8:36).

Christ is the original, organic Source of not only our spiritual but also our political freedom. And that's why despotic governments and dictators always try to suppress Christianity. And that's why the freest, most prosperous countries of the world are those that were founded on Christianity.

But the people of those nations too quickly forget the Source of their freedom and prosperity. They become so enamored of the blessings that they forget the Blesser. Consequently, they soon decline. And we see it happening in America. We declare our freedom, but we don't remember to preserve it.

Many famous people have tried to remind us of these truths, including the following:

Author William Faulkner: "We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it."

President Ronald Reagan: "We're blessed with the opportunity to stand for something, for liberty and fairness, and these are things worth fighting for, worth devoting our lives to."

Pastor and U.S. Senate chaplain Peter Marshall: "May we think of freedom not as a right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right."

As we celebrate Independence Day today, let's remember the Source of our liberty, thank Him for it, and do "solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty." And let us practice and preserve our independence and freedom by following Him fully and faithfully and never forgetting.