Faith | A lesson in how faith shaped America’s freedom

After many years of broken promises, unjust abuses of individual rights, and taxation without representation, our forefathers took a courageous stand against Great Britain’s political oppression.

The Second Continental Congress, which had representatives from all 13 colonies, served as a provisional government between 1775 and 1781. They created the Continental Army and appointed George Washington to be the commander on June 15, 1775. Congress signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, after appealing to divine Providence to bless their new nation.

The Declaration of Independence primarily written by Thomas Jefferson states in part, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Therefore, natural rights are God-given, not originating from government, but are to be protected by government.

Those who signed the Declaration of Independence, as well as many others, risked their lives, fortunes, sacred honor and the well-being of their families so that future generations could have freedom, a better life.

After the British surrendered in Yorktown, they signed the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783, officially ending the war. Great Britain recognized the independence of the 13 colonies to be free and sovereign.

In 1787, the U.S. Constitution, with its uniqueness of having three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) with checks and balances on each other, was formed to protect our nation from the tyranny of one man or an oligarchy.

The U.S. Constitution starts out saying: “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessing of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

In 1791 the Bill of Rights was added, guaranteeing our individual rights for further protection from a despotic government.

The First Amendment guarantees our most sacred right to have the free exercise of our religious beliefs. The Second Amendment guarantees our right to bear arms in order to protect those rights.

Our nation was founded on a belief in an almighty, sovereign, just, and loving God.

The Bible teaching that all men are corruptible because all people have a sin nature was a major force for three branches of government to have limited powers, allowing the people to retain freedom. Yet, this can work only if the people govern themselves by the morality described in the Bible.

As John Adams said, “Our government was made only for moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

James Madison stated, “Religion is the basis and foundation of government.”

George Washington said, “Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” In his Farewell Address, he said, “Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles.”

Adherence to religion and morality were our founders’ essential basis for good government, individual rights, and national well-being.

Our forefathers gave us freedom from the unjust British oppression. Jesus Christ, gives us freedom from the bondage of sin. He sacrificed himself to be unjustly crucified on a Roman cross on our behalf, and take upon himself the wrath of God as payment for our sins. His loving act was necessary because all mankind is sinful and deserving of punishment. He was then miraculously resurrected three days later.

God gives us the freedom to choose to trust in Jesus as our Savior and Lord so that one day we can live forever in his heavenly kingdom. The alternative is separation from him due to our resistance to his forgiveness and salvation.

May we celebrate this special Independence Day, being thankful for the sacrifices of so many over the last 250 years, the many God-given blessings we enjoy in our wonderful nation, and freedom to choose an eternal future with Christ Jesus.

Lee Walter is Sunday School superintendent at Columbia Bible Church in Kennewick. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Ave., Kennewick, WA 99338. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.