The Greatest Declaration of Independence Ever Made

As a student of history, the Declaration of Independence in my mind is one of the greatest documents in the history of human government. I don't pretend to know all the history surrounding the document or of its signatories, but it makes some very profound statements regarding God, man and government. These particular statements are the very theological and philosophical basis of our country's existence and the very basis of our freedom's in this country. These profound statements are primarily found in the opening paragraphs and at the end of the document and are implications based on the truth of Scripture and also reasoned from the law of God upon the heart of man.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

• All men are created by God.
  
• All men are created equal in the sight of God. (I.e., all men are created equally in His image.)
  
• God, in his goodness, has given men rights and privileges of life, freedom and the pursuit of his own happiness. (I.e., God has given men dominion over the earth.)
  
• Government is instituted so that man can peacefully pursue these privileges. (I.e., to provide a civil and orderly society where righteousness and peace reign; these provide the context of a peaceful life for that governments' inhabitants.)
  
• Men are free moral agents. (I.e., men are free to determine their way based upon their desires and inclinations, particularly instituting new governments as they see fit in the pursuit of their privileges from God.)
  
• God is sovereignly in control of all human events. (The last paragraph these words: "…for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence…")
  

There are many other important implications of the Declaration of Independence. But, these words above are ones that provide the foundation of our freedom in America for which we all should be grateful. While, it is a travesty that it took about 100 years for African descended slaves and Native Indians to just begin to reap the benefits of the foundational beliefs of the United States (and another 100 years to begin to reap the full benefits), nevertheless these foundational beliefs are the basis upon which the freedom of slaves and equal rights to all America's inhabitants was established. For this, in God's providence, I am very grateful for these words of the Declaration of Independence.

What makes the Declaration so profound is that it is a declaration of human freedom. Not an absolute human freedom, such as a freedom from God, but a freedom within the divine providence and decrees of God for man to benefit from the gifts of God. Unfortunately, our day has interpreted "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" as – do whatever you want to do – especially without God. The cost benefit analysis of this interpretation upon our current culture is showing we have become morally bankrupt and are in need of drastic change.

Here in lies the weakness of this great document – The Declaration of Independence. In profoundly stating our human freedom to pursue God's good gifts of life, liberty, and happiness, it is limited in its scope regarding what true freedom really entails and it is limited in its power to provide perfect and ultimate freedom.

So, while it stands as a great declaration of freedom, it pales in comparison to the greatest declaration of freedom that was ever made by the Lord Jesus Christ. This statement provides a true perspective of freedom and a true perfect freedom: "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)

In those few but telling words, we see the most important truths man could ever know:

• This is a Needed Freedom – if you are "set free" by "the Son" you will be "free indeed" which means that before He sets you free you are in some way not free. The opposite of freedom is bondage, oppression, slavery, and subjugation. Man is in slavery to sin as the previous verse states. "If anyone sins, he is the slave of sin."
  
• This is a Real Freedom – "you will be free indeed" – in other words you will be truly free; the profound implication is that this is a freedom that is greater than any other freedom that can be known to man.
  
• This Needed and Real freedom is Found only in "the Son" (Jesus) – Jesus, "the Son," exalts Himself as the only one in Whom this freedom can be found. And this statement says a whole lot more about who the "the Son" is and what He only can do then it says about freedom. And so true freedom must be equated with Jesus Christ.
  

There is so much more that can be said about this passage. But, the point that is being made is that there is no greater declaration of independence than what is found in this statement by Jesus. Because regardless of how politically, civilly, religiously, or socially free one may be – as Jesus declared in verse 34 all men are slaves to sin (Psalm 51:5; 58:3).

Sin has completely corrupted man's nature causing him to live as a rebel against God (Romans 3:10-18), thus God must righteously judge and punish man's sins (Romans 6:23). And only Jesus, the Son of God, can free a man from sins. This is why Jesus says earlier that, "…I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." (John 8:24)

And to be free from the guilt, judgment, and complete corruption of sin in order to be able to freely serve God and be in His presence forever is the greatest freedom a man can or will ever have.
For, what does it profit a man to gain all the freedom in the world yet forfeit His soul?

So, remember on this day as we celebrate the wonderful freedoms enjoyed in America by the good providence of God to pursue the gifts of God in this life – the Greatest Declaration of Freedom was made by Jesus Christ for the freedom of our souls. The question is – do you have that Freedom today?