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."
Step Out of Line
PEOPLE Magazine relays the details of the Emmy Award acceptance speech of actress Alex Borstein in 2019 as she paid homage to her grandmother "who barely survived the Holocaust.":
Alex Borstein took home the Emmy for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series ... Borstein paid respect to her grandmother, who barely survived the Holocaust. "I want to dedicate this to the strength of a woman ... She was in line to be shot into a pit and she said, 'What happens if I step out of line?' .... And he said, 'I don't have the heart to shoot you but somebody will.' ... And she stepped out of line." ... Because of her grandmother's decision, she is here and her children are here, she said. "So, step out of line, ladies," she said. "Step out of line."
For video of the speech, click here and navigate to minute 2:10.
While the emphasis of her speech was decidedly to encourage women, specifically, to be brave, to be bold, the story is universal in its application.
There will be times in life when our backs are up against the wall (or our feet are at the edge of a pit with a gun pressed to our back). In those moments, don't let the world and its values (or lack thereof) run roughshod over you. Don't cower before those who persecute, abuse, or bully you.
Be bold. Be brave. Dare to "step out of line."
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4, ESV).
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" (2 Corinthians 1:7, ESV).