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."
We Guard What We Cherish
Every day, 24 hours a day, since the 1930s, the sentries of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetary (badgeholders, as they are called) have honored their command to protect and defend that tomb. Regardless of circumstances, they have been ordered to hold their watch, and never abandon their post. Yet, on September 19, 2003, as Hurricane Isabel barraged the Nation's Capital with driving rain and nearly 100mph winds, the sentitels charged with guarding that sacred space were granted permission, for the first time in its history, to stand down to seek shelter.Yet that was not a permission they were willing to act on. NBC news reported at that time:
“They told us that. But that’s not what’s going to happen,” said Sgt. Christopher Holmes, standing vigil on overnight duty. “That’s never an option for us. It went in one ear and right out the other.” ...
With the fierce storm bearing down Thursday night, cemetery officials decided to let the guards move indoors if they felt they were in danger. Cemetery Superintendent John Metzler said he believed it was the first time they have been allowed to do so.
“We certainly didn’t want to put these guards in jeopardy unnecessarily,” Metzler said. ...
Holmes’ group was on duty for 24 hours, from 6 a.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. Friday. They took turns patrolling the tomb in hourly shifts. ...
“Once you become a badgeholder, it’s like you’ll do whatever you have to do to guard the unknowns,” [Staff Sgt. Alfred] Lanier said. “For one, it’s my job. And for two, that’s just how much respect I myself have for the unknowns. That’s just something we cherish.”
Famed Christian author and speaker, Dennis Rainey, had this to add:
In 2003, Hurricane Isabel slammed into the East Coast of the United States, lashing North Carolina and Virginia, then moving northward all the way to Canada, leaving 16 dead and cutting power to six million homes. The edges of the hurricane passed through Washington, D.C., prompting the president and members of Congress to find safer quarters.
That was not the case at Arlington National Cemetery, where guards have relentlessly stood vigil at the Tomb of the Unknowns every hour of every day since July 1, 1937. When the hurricane hit, the soldiers remained at their posts even though they were given permission to seek shelter.
That’s what a soldier does. He acknowledges the storm, but he doesn’t give in to it. He stands firm. As a friend told me, 'If these men can stand guard over the dead, how much more important is it that I stand guard over the living—my wife and children?'
Like these soldiers, we are called to stand and do our duty while staring down the very storms that seek to rob us of courage, taunting and tempting us to neglect our duty and abandon our posts. ...
We ALL have an obligation to stand firm in the storms of life. Yet how much greater is that obligation for husbands and fathers to stand guard over the welfare (physical, spiritual, and emotional) of their families, and for pastors and shepherds to stand guard over the welfare of their flocks?!
As Rainey's friend so aptly said, 'If these men can stand guard over the dead, how much more important is it that I stand guard over the living—my wife and children?' And indeed, pastors, of your congregations.
As Sgt. Lanier suggested, we guard what "we cherish."
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm" (Ephesians 6:13).
As faithful followers of Christ, and as Christian leaders — husbands, fathers, shepherds, we must:
1. KNOW OUR COMMANDER ... HIS PERSON AND WORK
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5, ESV).
2. KNOW OUR ASSIGNMENT FROM THE MASTER
"So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory" (1 Peter5:1-4, ESV).
3. BE FAITHFUL TO BOLDLY STAND OUR GROUND FOR CHRIST ... AGAINST ALL ODDS.
"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong" (1 Corinthians 16:13, ESV).