What is True Freedom?

247 Years ago

Paul Harvey

last sentence of the Declaration of Independence

And in 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.

“What Price Freedom by Paul Harvey”

“Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army. One of the signers had two sons captured. Nine of the fifty-six fought and died of wounds or the hardships of the Revolutionary War.

But what kind of men were they, these men who boldly wrote their names to the Declaration that lit the fires of liberty in souls of men throughout the world?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists, eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners, men of means, well-educated.

Their security, their incomes, and their worldly possessions made them substantially well off. But they signed the Declaration of Independence even though they knew the penalty would be death on the gallows, if they were captured.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes...and their sacred honor. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and his properties to pay his debts and died in rags. Thomas McKean was so hounded by the enemy that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers or both looted the properties of Ellery Clymer, Hall, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Rutledge and Middleton. At the Battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr. noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. The owner quietly urged General George Washington to open fire, which was done. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. His grave is unmarked and unknown.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their thirteen children fled for their lives. His fields and his grist mill were laid waste. For more than a year he lived in the forests and caves, returning home after the war to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.

Morris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. These were soft- spoken men of means, wealth and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight and unwavering, they pledged: ‘For the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.’”

We celebrate their courage this 4th of July

We take pride in our freedom as Americans. Freedom that was fought for and sacrificed for, even to this day.

Our founding fathers put it all on the line for our freedom. Todays America looks very different than it did 247 years ago. But the spirit still remains in many.

We pride ourselves in our independent spirit! We are pioneers, explorers, we are adventurers! We stand on our own two feet and pull ourselves up by our boot straps!

Sometimes we can become so emboldened in our pride as Americans, especially American Christians, that we can place more importance on our national pride and identity that we see ourselves as American Christians in stead of Christians who just happen to be born I’m America.

the question I want to pose today as we celebrate our country’s Day of Independence, is what freedom are you more thankful for, your freedom as an American or your freedom in Christ?

The first is fleeting. It could go at any time. The second is a freedom from sin and this world that is passing away. Freedom from the life of slavery that we used to be bound by. The life that kept us so entangled to it. Freedom that’s actually ruled by dependence, not independence. Today as we celebrate our independence as Americans, I hope and pray that you are celebrating our freedom from sin and kinging to Jesus in our dependence on him.

Our Dependence on Christ = true freedom

Galatians 5:1 ESV

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

John 15:5 ESV

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

How disciples died

James the Brother of John – Beheaded.

Simon – Crucified.

Thomas – “Doubting” Thomas preached to some of the hardest people groups in history including the Parthians, Medes, Persians, Carmenians, and others. He was died in martyrdom in India.

Philip – Preached to barbarian nations and was stoned and crucified.

Bartholomew – Preached in India and translated the Gospel of Matthew into their language and then was beaten, crucified, and beheaded.

Matthew – Wrote his gospel to the Jews in the Hebrew language and after converted major people groups in Ethiopia and Egypt. Hircanius, the king of this region, resented this movement and had him killed.

Simon Peter – Crucified upside down.

John of Patmos – Boiled alive and exiled.

Andrew brother of Peter –  was crucified.

Paul was beheaded.

This is the same sacrifice that we as believers in Jesus are called to make when threatened To deny Christ and renounce our faith in Him. These men recognized where their freedom lay. They realized that without Christ life is meaningless. They realized that unless they were fully dependent on Jesus, they would be enslaved to something!

Ephesians 6:19–20 ESV

and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

John 8:36 ESV

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.