As the smell of sulphur fills the neighborhood air and plans to celebrate with friends solidify, we are reminded that freedom matters. There is no other worldview besides a Judeo-Christian worldview, that could frame the beliefs in our Declaration of Independence. The opening words alone allude to a life that has purpose, meaning and morality…if there is no God, and we are a mere cosmic-accident, then “survival of the fittest” is the highest virtue, and our Declaration of Independence would read very differently:

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

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.

We are far from a perfect nation…we often fail to live up to the vision…but that doesn’t diminish its truth or power.

This Fourth of July, as you celebrate with your friends, remember that our desire for freedom and equality comes from and reminds us that there is a God who is always at work…Here’s a great video to frame your celebration!