An Independence Day Reflection

The story of America’s founding is truly inspiring. As a history teacher, I had the opportunity to introduce many of my 8th-grade students to some of the nation’s founders; people like John Adams, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry, who were ordinary men with extraordinary resolve to gain political freedom for themselves and their descendants.

By the year 1773, colonial leaders had been engaged in over a decade of dialogue, protests, and demonstrations seeking to end the British government’s policy of imposing taxes without the consent of colonial assemblies. By 1774, tensions with the British Empire had reached a breaking point: from the shooting of unarmed citizens in Boston to the closing of harbors and threats of capital punishment for dissenters, American colonists were slowly realizing that their only recourse was an idea once considered political lunacy. Independence was now their only option to ensure political liberty.

On July 2, 1776, the delegations from all 13 British colonies voted to “dissolve all political ties” between Britain and the United States. Two days later, on July 4, the Continental Congress approved the final version of Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence; a document now revered as one of history’s greatest political statements on the rights of man. Appealing to the dignity given by our Creator, the founders declared that “all men are created equal” and “are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights…life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The 56 signers of this declaration risked their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor” not just for their own liberty, but for that of future generations. John Adams once said:

“I must study politics and war so that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy…[so that] their children have a right to study painting, poetry [&] music.”

That founding generation sacrificed greatly for the sake of their children and their great-grandchildren. After eight years of grueling war, the British surrendered, and the nation finally gained its independence.

As we reflect on the 250th anniversary of the nation’s birth, what should be our posture as Christians? How should we think about our earthly citizenship in light of our heavenly one?

A few humble points of reflection:

We should celebrate our dependence on Christ.

“I am the vine; you are the branches…apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

There is a beautiful paradox we must recognize on "Independence Day." While we celebrate the political independence our nation declared two and a half centuries ago, the Scriptures emphatically call us to live not as independent, but in wholehearted dependence on the Lord for all that we need.

In John 15, Jesus reminds His disciples of this very dependence: “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” In Christ, we joyfully proclaim our total reliance upon His power and strength; not our own self-sufficiency. It is the Lord who sustains our faith and enables us to bear fruit.

Scripture also teaches us that we are not called to live in isolation but in community. Paul speaks of the union of believers when he writes in Romans 12: “For as in one body we have many members... so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

In a world that values rugged individualism, we as the Church are called to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21), and to “be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3).

We should pray for the peace of the land.

“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” – Jeremiah 29:7

The prophet Jeremiah spoke to the people of Judah during their exile in a foreign land and called on them to pray for the welfare and peace of the place they were in. In the same way, we too are called to live in and pray for the nation in which we dwell.

Paul echoes this when he writes to Timothy:

“I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people—for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” – 1 Timothy 2:1–2

As Christians, we are called to be lights in the darkness, living lives that honor earthly authority while remembering that our ultimate allegiance is to Christ and His kingdom. And as we pray for our nation, we are also called to intercede for all nations. Our Lord has ransomed for Himself a multiethnic and multicultural bride: “people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9).

We should long for our heavenly country.

“But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.” – Hebrews 11:16

On days like today, we are also called to resist the temptation to see our nation as the ultimate utopia of liberty. While it is right to be grateful for the freedoms we enjoy, we must not lose sight of the fact that we are “sojourners and exiles,” as the apostle Peter described us (1 Peter 2:11).

Many of our brothers and sisters around the world, who face persecution and oppression, understand this deeply. Many, even within our own nation, who were historically denied the liberties promised in the Declaration of Independence, have also come to learn the sobering truth that this world is not our home.

We are not meant to live our “best life” on earth - instead we do well to remember that “it has been granted to [us]…not only believe in [Christ] but also suffer for his sake.” (Philippians 1:29). The author of Hebrews describes the early believers who “joyfully accepted the plundering of their property” because their treasure was in heaven (Hebrews 10:34–35). When we see turmoil and trouble around us, Psalm 46 reminds us to affirm:

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea…”

Even if the nation we live in were to crumble, our God remains a steadfast refuge, and we will not give in to fear, for we long for a heavenly country and belong to “a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28).

We should treasure our heavenly citizenship.

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…” – Philippians 3:20

Today, as we rejoice and honor the stories and sacrifices of those who gave their lives to preserve our freedoms, we must also remember that our ultimate citizenship is not in America. This life is but a brief moment in the span of eternity. We will not be citizens of this nation forever.

And so, as we celebrate today, let us remember and rejoice in the reality that our true citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ.