Re-Committing to the Ideals of Freedom
Abe Lincoln had an unparalleled love for the Declaration of Independence, yet he mourned what had become of the celebration of Independence Day. "In a letter in 1855 despairing of ending slavery," reports Rich Lowry of Fox News, "Lincoln wrote to the Kentuckian George Robertson that 'the fourth of July has not quite dwindled away; it is still a great day--for burning fire-crackers!!!'"
He longed for our country to celebrate and recommit to the ideals of the founding fathers--that all men are created equal. Lowry reports:
In his great anti-slavery speech in Peoria in 1854, he said, “I love the sentiments of those old time men.” …
Lincoln wanted to catch the falling flag of our patriotic patrimony. Lincoln urged that we “re-adopt” the Declaration, as he put it at Peoria. The road to salvation ran through 1776, he argued in one passage: “Our republican robe is soiled, and trailed in the dust. Let us re-purify it. Let us turn and wash it white, in the spirit, if not the blood, of the Revolution.”
In the pursuit for freedom, Lincoln feared that our country had lost its first love, neglecting at best, and defying at worst, the principles of liberty for all.
If the pursuit of political freedom is to be celebrated and commemorated, how much more should be the pursuit of spiritual freedom! Yet as a church, and as individual members of that church, we continually run the risk of losing our first love. Our robe of righteousness is all too easily "soiled and trailed in the dust." We must "re-purify" it. We must "wash it white, in the spirit, if not in the blood," of Lamb God who takes away the sins of the world.
In Christ we are all created equal and free, and our great calling is bringing that message of equality and freedom in Christ to every generation.
"But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent …" (Revelation 2:4-5, NASB).
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36). "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1).
Waving The Flag of Faith
In 2012, the dollar value of U.S. imports of American flags was $3.8 million. The vast majority of this amount ($3.6 million) was for U.S. flags made in China.
Conversely, that same year, the dollar value of U.S. flags exported was only $614,115. Mexico was the leading customer, purchasing $188,824 worth.
One has to wonder how long America can continue to prosper when it no longer exports even the most basic symbols of Americana. The same could be asked of the Church. Does the Church continue to influence the world more than the world influences the Church?
From the very beginning Jesus made it clear that the mission and commission of the Church was to export the Gospel to the ends of the earth. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit …" (Matthew 28:19; c.f. Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47). "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
This Fourth of July, as we see those imported American Flags flapping in the breeze, let's wave our flags of faith, recommitting ourselves to exporting the genuine Gospel message into our neighborhoods, our towns and cities, and "to the ends of the earth."
Don't Let Progress Block the Sonlight
Reminicing about the glory days of Grand Central Staion, one Facebook commentor posted:
It’s one of the most iconic images in American history: sunlight streaming through the towering arched windows of Grand Central Terminal, casting dramatic beams of light across the main concourse. Captured in 1929, this stunning visual has enchanted viewers for generations. But what many don’t realize is that this natural light display is nearly impossible to replicate today, and it’s all because of New York City’s ever-rising skyline.
He goes on to suggest that this phenomenon is not unique to Grand Central. The beauty of many such grand archetectural wonders are now obscured by the shadows of a growing metropolis. "Known as urban canyons," he writes, "these environments can significantly alter how sunlight reaches street level, affecting everything from mood to vegetation to historical preservation."
He concludes:
In the case of Grand Central, the change is especially poignant. Once bathed in sunlight, the station now depends primarily on artificial lighting to maintain its grandeur. While still breathtaking in its architecture and cultural significance, it no longer offers that same celestial light show captured so beautifully nearly a century ago.
This shift is a powerful reminder of how cities evolve, and how even something as intangible as sunlight can be lost in the pursuit of progress.
Progress, in and of itself is a great thing. Progress brings change. It brings growth. Yet progress can sometimes cloud the past, dimming its impact, and dulling its effect.
In terms of our faith, Christianity itself stands in contant jeopardy of progressing, evolving beyond its orthodoxy — the basic, most essential tennets of the faith. In our striving to be culurally relevant, we run the risk of losing sight of our foundational truths.
When cultural trends deeply impact or infiltrate the Church, they can stand to create vast, figurative urban canyans which may potentioally alter the way genuine Sonlight reaches the figurative street level, "affecting everything from mood to vegetation to historical preservation."
We must therefore be cautous not to let progress (or progressivism) cloud the very Sonlight that defines us.
Again, progress in and of itself is not a bad thing. But as we grow and build on that progress, we have to be careful to not let it overshadow the foundation.
"For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthains 3:11, ESV).
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5, ESV).
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9, ESV).