Winston Salem church of Christ

July 4^th, 1776 marks the day of America’s Declaration of Independence. As a child I mistakenly thought this the day the United States of America won her independence. No, July 4^th was not the end of the war, but the beginning of a new struggle. The following was sent to me concerning the signers of this most respected declaration.
”Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall (his first name was Lyman, supposedly my ancestor), Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn’t. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It’s not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: freedom is never free!”
Political, economic and religious freedoms make this country unparalleled in human societies, but they cannot compare to a greater freedom – a freedom from sin. In comparing the beginning of the United States to the beginning new Christians have in Christ, I see a parallel. I can only imagine the emotions running rampant within the room where the Declarers penned their Declaration. Most likely the emotions ran the gamut: anticipation, boldness, concern, dedication, effervescence, fear, glory, hope, etc. That new experience must have been an unequaled. New Christians, freshly rising from the waters of baptism, also often experience the array of emotions. When the brave men walked out of the room where they had signed away their lives and fortunes to the cause, what followed was the reality; hard times afterwards brought to home just what they had declared. New believers declare their independence from Satan. For them the moment is exhilarating. Later, only later, does the reality sink in. Freedom from Satan makes us an enemy of Satan. A new life does not remove old problems, but rather gives me the tools to handle those problems. Those new in the faith will go through both highs and lows. It is the times of the lows that are dangerous.

When looking at the history of the 56 signers to the Declaration of Independence, it is obvious they did not give up their vision. Let us likewise keep our faith in a Declaration of Independence that is even grander.Questions:· What about your spiritual life brings the most surprises, whether good or bad?· As the 56 declarers were willing to sacrifice it all, are you?Prayer: Our prayer should be that we truly appreciate all the sacrifices that have been made in our behalf, no matter the cause.