“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Romans 13:1
July 3, 2024
The United States celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4. Every Christian has an investment in the meaning of this day. On days after in July of 1776 there were “bonfires, ringing bells, with other great demonstrations of joy” (John Adams, a biography by David McCullough). As our nation has aged we have seen cracks develop in the original vision of the founding fathers. As Christians we need to pause and put things in biblical perspective. The Bible is a book about politics. It is God who raises up governments and kingdoms and dismantles them. Chaos is increasingly defining our country. Moral, social, and economic decline threaten societal stability. Tragically, we have let the secularists define our worldview. How are we to function politically? Lest we forget, the administration of justice is defined in God’s Law so that the law-abiding can live in peace. Civil government has been given its limits. It is the servant of God (Rom. 13:6). This 4th of July is a good time to thank God for our freedoms and His sovereign rule over our nation. Don’t push politics to the margin of your quest for the glory of God to be seen in all areas of our national life.
H
“The Christian religion is, above all the religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of wisdom, virtue, equity and humanity.” Diary entry by John Adams, July 26, 1796