Tomorrow is the fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, and I wanted to take a few minutes to illustrate how faith played a foundational role in the development of the United States of America.  Were we a ” christian ” nation?  I would probably say not, but what we were a nation of Christians who God Sovereignly ordained to land on these shores and , despite our many missteps, to be a light shining on a hill.  So tomorrow, as we cook out, eat ice cream and watermelon, and watch some fireworks….let us remember Independence Day, the Founding Fathers, and Christianity.

Independence Day, the Founding Fathers, and Christianity

While these quotes in no way prove that the Founders of this Nation were orthodox Christians, they do go along way in showing the basis for many of their ideas that lead to our ” inalienable rights, endowed by our Creator. ”

John Adams

SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; JUDGE; DIPLOMAT; ONE OF TWO SIGNERS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.¹

Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. . . . What a Eutopia – what a Paradise would this region be!⁵

 

John Quincy Adams

SIXTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; DIPLOMAT; SECRETARY OF STATE; U. S. SENATOR; U. S. REPRESENTATIVE; “OLD MAN ELOQUENT”; “HELL-HOUND OF ABOLITION”

My hopes of a future life are all founded upon the Gospel of Christ and I cannot cavil or quibble away [evade or object to]. . . . the whole tenor of His conduct by which He sometimes positively asserted and at others countenances [permits] His disciples in asserting that He was God.⁷

The hope of a Christian is inseparable from his faith. Whoever believes in the Divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures must hope that the religion of Jesus shall prevail throughout the earth. Never since the foundation of the world have the prospects of mankind been more encouraging to that hope than they appear to be at the present time. And may the associated distribution of the Bible proceed and prosper till the Lord shall have made “bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God” [Isaiah 52:10].⁸

 

Samuel Adams

SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; “FATHER OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION”; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS

I . . . [rely] upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.¹⁰

The name of the Lord (says the Scripture) is a strong tower; thither the righteous flee and are safe [Proverbs 18:10]. Let us secure His favor and He will lead us through the journey of this life and at length receive us to a better.¹¹

 

John Hancock

SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS

Sensible of the importance of Christian piety and virtue to the order and happiness of a state, I cannot but earnestly commend to you every measure for their support and encouragement.³⁸

He called on the entire state to pray “that universal happiness may be established in the world [and] that all may bow to the scepter of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the whole earth be filled with His glory.”³⁹

 

Patrick Henry

REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; LEGISLATOR; “THE VOICE OF LIBERTY”; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA

Being a Christian… is a character which I prize far above all this world has or can boast.⁴⁹

The Bible… is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed.⁵⁰

Righteousness alone can exalt America as a nation. Whoever thou art, remember this; and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself, and encourage it in others.⁵¹

The great pillars of all government and of social life [are] virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible.⁵²

 

John Jay

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; DIPLOMAT; AUTHOR OF THE FEDERALIST PAPERS; ORIGINAL CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE U. S. SUPREME COURT; GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK

Condescend, merciful Father! to grant as far as proper these imperfect petitions, to accept these inadequate thanksgivings, and to pardon whatever of sin hath mingled in them for the sake of Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Savior; unto Whom, with Thee, and the blessed Spirit, ever one God, be rendered all honor and glory, now and forever. ⁵⁶

 

Crumbling Foundations

We have strayed far from our beginnings….far from what our Nation was founded on……far from the ideals and principles that lead the United States to become the greatest nation on Earth.  If we forget what Independence day is about, what brave men and women crossed the Atlantic to enjoy, and what so many gave their lives to preserve…..we do not deserve the freedom that they secured for us.  If we do not stand for Christian values, if we do not stand upon the Eternal turths found in sacred Scripture, and most importantly if we do not stand upon the Rock of Christ Jesus…..we will forfeit the blessings of God which include the freedoms so many of us prize here in America.

So I ask you again….while you and your family and friends are celebrating tomorrow, just take a second to remember what Independence Day, the Founding Fathers, and Christianity are all about.

 

God Bless and Keep the Faith

Luther Wesley ( LivingNGrace )

For more on the Founders of the Unites States check out this site Wallbuilders