"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.... Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." George Washington, Farewell Address (delivered in writing, not delivered in a speech)
Clearly one founder had a notion of the place of faith in our articles of freedom, and yet we know we are not perfect. Our nation, to this day, debates the role of faith in a free society and a democracy, each side believing firmly they are right.
As a Christian, there is only one true freedom: "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' They answered him, 'We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?' Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'" (John 8)
Only in Christ are we truly free and that freedom knows no earthly bounds. Today, as we celebrate our freedoms in the United States, consider our brothers in the faith in countries which have either outlawed our faith outright, or made it difficult to observe faith. We can support these brothers in the faith via prayer or other ways such as the missions we belong to or donate to. Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for our freedoms which invite those throughout the world to our nation to enjoy those same freedoms where persecution exists. Pray that we hold our freedoms dear and that we not take them for granted.
Hope Men's Ministry
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