Cutler Ridge United Methodist Church

The Holy Post - Jul 08 [PDF]

Dear Friends,

“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.”

Do you recognize it? It is the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen United States of America. It is followed by the explanation why the colonies were separating themselves from the abusive government of King George III. Then there is a long list of how the British crown had oppressed the people in the colonies and denied them fair treatment.

This document appeals to God as the final authority behind the truths on which independence was declared. The Declaration of Independence is not a Christian document—there is no reference to Jesus Christ. Indeed, not all the signers of the Declaration of Independence were Christians.

However, the Declaration of Independence is a document grounded in theology. The signers believed that God had created the world and granted certain rights to all people. They also believed that God was a fair judge of individuals and nations. They appealed to God as the Supreme Judge as to the righteousness of their cause.

“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States . . . .”

These men depended on God as their protector—which makes sense because signing this document was a very dangerous thing to do.

“And for the 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.”

All of us owe a great debt of gratitude to these who not only signed the document but also committed themselves to seeing it through so that we may enjoy the freedoms they believed in. We owe a debt to all people everywhere who stand up for justice. Let’s stand with them!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!

Sam

Read the entire newsletter online: The Holy Post - Jul 08 [PDF]

- Cutler Ridge United Methodist Church - Cutler Bay, FL