| Christian Life and Doctrine | July 1969 |
The Christian’s Declaration Of Independence
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” —John 8:36
DURING the late eighteenth century, there developed among the thirteen British colonies on the American Continent a growing need for cutting all ties with the mother country and establishing a free and independent state. Foremost among the factors contributing to this end was the tyrannical attitude of the King of England, and especially his practice of “taxation without representation.” Such domineering could not be endured long by men who had sacrificed much to begin life anew and to escape the oppression of the Old World.
Accordingly, a Continental Congress was called in 1774, to consider possible courses of action. Within two years, a committee of five outstanding patriots was appointed to draw up an official statement of independence to be ratified by all the colonies. Thomas Jefferson was assigned the task of composing the document. The result was the historic statement which came to be known as the Declaration of Independence.
This document set forth in masterful and concise language some of the basic needs and desires of all people the world over. School children and statesmen alike have thrilled at contemplating some of the thoughts expressed:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable 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. …”
After listing in detail the outstanding grievances against the British Crown, the document has a final paragraph which begins:
“We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, Free and Independent States. … And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
The declaration was signed by fifty-six members of the Congress.
A Waning Faith
We today who read this document and others which pertain to the original establishment of our nation, cannot help but be impressed with the reverential spirit in which they were written. Most of our founding fathers had a deep reliance upon the overruling providence of God and demonstrated this in their lives and words. Many of the colonies had been established by deeply religious men who sought a refuge from the political and religious persecutions then prevailing in Europe. The free system of public education was set up to insure that all would be enabled to read the Bible, which, together with the English primer, became the first textbook.
But what a change has been wrought in less than two hundred years, and especially in the last two decades! We are witnessing an almost total deterioration of faith in God and belief in spiritual things. Whether it be in high levels of government, in the school system, in society at large, or even within the realm of the churches themselves, the result has been the same. One must look far and wide to find God-fearing individuals who have not lost their integrity or their confidence in God and who still stand for the principles of truth and righteousness.
The only notable exception to this condition of unbelief which is sweeping our land and the world today is to be found in the lives of relatively few individuals who might be termed “footstep followers of the Master.” These are those of an honest and upright heart to whom the Lord has been pleased to reveal himself and to entrust them with an understanding of his plans and purposes. They are his lights and witnesses in a rapidly darkening and degenerating society. They have not let go their faith and trust in God.
In the face of the massive unbelief and materialism which threatens to engulf all, and as a source of spiritual strength in this special day of testing, it would be well for all believers to affirm their faith by setting forth their own “Declaration of Independence.” By this we mean a declaration of independence from both the spirit of the world and the cares and anxieties which press upon them, and threaten to overwhelm even the believer. Such a declaration should prove helpful because it will take us back to the Word of God as the source of our inspiration and help.
Let us consider, then, what might be said in “The Christian’s Declaration of Independence,” to be constructed as a summary not of our grievances or dissatisfactions, but of our causes for gratitude. Let it serve also as an inventory of the reasons for our hope and confidence in God. In place of the signers of the Declaration of 1776, we shall append a listing of Bible texts, some of the most precious and endearing to the believing heart. Grammatically, we shall use the first person, singular, to highlight the privilege of our personal relationship with the Father.
The Christian’s Declaration
1. The Bible declares that upon the basis of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, all consecrated believers in him enjoy a standing of reckoned perfection in the Father’s sight—“justification.” Through the study of God’s Word and by the leading of the Holy Spirit, I have accepted this basic truth and am now also covered by the robe of Jesus’ righteousness. I therefore have been forgiven for all of my personal sins and shortcomings as well as having had the Adamic condemnation, which rested heavily upon all, lifted from me. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”—Rom. 5:1
2. Having learned that it was the Father’s will for me to consecrate my life to his service, I have renounced my former ways and have come to him in full surrender. I have endeavored to heed the Spirit’s call: “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.” (Prov. 23:26) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom. 12:1) I desire “by the Lord’s assisting grace, to continue this work of sacrificing the flesh and its interests that eventually I may attain unto the heavenly inheritance.” I shall endeavor not to be conformed to this world, nor allured by its transitory pleasures, for my life is no longer my own; it belongs to God and to my Redeemer: “They which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”—II Cor. 5:15
3. The Bible further declares that the common experiences of those who have chosen to walk the Christian pathway would be twofold: special blessings would accrue from the Lord, but hardship and persecution from the world. “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (II Tim. 3:12) “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” (John 16:33) Counterbalancing this, the Scriptures are full of precious promises to the people of God, giving assurance of divine protection and care. These promises are the mainstay of the believer, his touchstone of confidence and hope. Having come into intimate relationship with the Father through faith and consecration, I am thoroughly convinced that it is my privilege to reach out and embrace these promises, to make them my very own, and to watch for their fulfillment in my life.
4. With great joy, I realize that the way has been prepared for me to live a victorious life in Christ, possessed of his peace and his assurance. No longer need I be bound either by worldly temptation or by the shackles of anxiety and care which heretofore have confronted me. My “life is hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3) I therefore now resolve to accept with gratitude the inner strength, peace, and joy of my Lord which he has made the heritage of all who place their trust in God. In so doing, I hereby declare my absolute independence of all worldly desire, fear, or distress which otherwise would weigh me down: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you … and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”—Matt. 11:28-30
5. But the Bible makes clear that the acceptance of this divine legacy of strength and peace is not a passive matter, and that it requires continual, conscious effort on our part. “Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest”—the rest which remaineth for the people of God. (Heb. 4:11) I therefore resolve also to renew my determination to “fight the good fight of faith,” (I Tim. 6:12) to repel all anxious thoughts and discontent, and all the discouragement which the Adversary daily thrusts against me. “Trusting myself to the divine care, I will neither murmur nor repine at what the Lord’s providence may permit, because ‘faith can firmly trust him, come what may.’”
6. In place of the former cares which crowded my mind, I will substitute the higher thoughts that center on spiritual truths. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above.” (Col. 3:1) “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Phil. 4:8) In addition, I will direct my energies in the service of the Lord, the truth, and the brethren to the extent of my abilities and opportunities; and I will try to keep the vision of the coming kingdom so strongly before me that no room will be lift for the former concerns.
7. The basis of this Declaration of Independence from all worldliness and the cares of this life is to be found in the precious promises of God’s own Word, the Holy Scriptures. There I find assurances of the nearness of the Heavenly Father, of his great love, and of his power working in me. Appended below are those very special promises and exhortations which have stood as a bulwark of divine comfort and strength, especially in my time of need. I desire not only to be reminded of them, permit them to exercise their full sanctifying influence upon my heart and mind. Thus aware of the divine power operating in my life and strengthened with the heavenly manna, I shall be lifted above the cares of time and transported to the expectant joys of sharing the ages of eternity with the Heavenly Father and his dear Son in kingdom glory.
Sources of Strength
1. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.”—Isa. 26:3
2. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”—John 14:27
3. “Do not worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God, which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus.”—Phil. 4:6,7, Phillips
4. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” … “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed … that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” … “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”—I John 2:15; Rom. 12.2; I John 5:4
5. “Trust in the Lord with all thy heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”—Prov. 3:5,6
6. ‘But we do know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love him, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”—Rom. 8:28, T.C. New Test.
7. “Take no anxious thought for your life here, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; nor wondering what you will have to wear. … (All these are things that the people of the world run after.) Your Heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall he added unto you.”—Matt. 6:25,32,33, free translation
8. “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”—Phil. 4:19
9. “Cast the whole of your care—all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, on God; for he will care for you affectionately, and care about you watchfully.”—I Pet. 5:7, Amplified
10. “The Father himself loveth you.”—John 16:27
11. ‘Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” … “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”—I Pet. 4:12,13; II Cor. 4:17
12. “No trial has assailed you except that which is common to all mankind: and God is faithful who will not permit you to be tested beyond your strength; but in the trial, He will direct the issue so that you may be able to bear it.”—I Cor. 10:13, Free rendering of Diaglott and N.T. from 26 Translations
13. “And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength and power show themselves most effectively in your weakness. So I am perfectly willing to rejoice in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. That is why I am content with my weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties, when they are endured for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”—I Cor. 12:9,10, composite translation
14. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” … “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” … “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”—Rom. 8:31; Phil. 2:13; Phil. 1:6
15. “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”—Rev. 2:10