Independence Day

On July 4th, we celebrate Independence Day.  It is commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776.  The purpose was to declare independence from the oppression of Great Britain.  

There was a Committee of Five who tried to explain the Declaration of Independence.  Thomas Jefferson was the principle author of this venture.  Congress finally approved it on July 4th.

Interestingly, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence who went on to become Presidents of the United States both died on July 4th, five hours apart, in 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.  

Another Founding Father, who did not sign the Declaration of Independence, who became President was James Monroe and he died on July 4th, 1831.  He became the third president in a row who died on July 4th.  

The Bible also presents us with a personal declaration of independence from our sins.  Isaiah 43:25, gives to us these precious words from God.  “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake.  And I will not remember your sins.”

I believe what this means is that whatever it was that you did or did not do, if you go to God in prayer with a repentant heart, that God will not only forgive you, but that God will wipe the slate clean as if it never even happened.  For those who worry about their salvation due to something they did in their past - these words tell us how much God loves us.  God wants to liberate us from the prison of our minds and set us free.  This is our declaration of independence and the assurance of our salvation by believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.  By repenting of our sins and taking Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  Happy Independence Day.