“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.” With that final sentence, the Second Continental Congress unanimously declared independence from English rule 241 years ago. The thirteen colonies determined that separation from England was worth fighting for.
The concept of “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” would provide the foundation needed for a new model of government. After eight years of battle against the most powerful army in the world, victory was realized and a new nation was born. Since then, over a half-million lives have been lost in twelve major wars defending her. The United States of America has been a nation worth fighting for.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” – 2Timothy 4:3-5. This was part of the charge Paul gave Timothy as he passed the baton to the next generation. Attacks would come in the form of eloquent teachers telling people what they wanted to hear. Timothy was charged to preach the good news of Jesus the Christ in the face of opposition. The gospel was sound doctrine worth fighting for.
A recent Gallup poll revealed that only 44% of the population in these United States is willing to put themselves in harms way for their nation. What has happened to the conviction evidenced by the founding fathers - Have the comforts associated with success softened the people? Has historical revisionism played a role in negatively influencing a generation? The same questions can be asked of the Church - What has happened to the conviction evidenced by the disciples? Are the churches full of comfortable Christians? Has sound doctrine been compromised by teachers that prefer to tickle the ears of the congregations? The word of God is doctrine worth fighting for.
Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for these United States of America. It is a blessing to celebrate the gifts You have given us in this great nation. May I never take them for granted. And thank You for the freedom offered through Your Son Jesus the Christ, the Word become flesh. May I never take His journey in this world for granted. By Your grace I have two freedoms worth fighting for – one temporal in this world and the other eternal for the Kingdom. Grant me discernment to know what is worth fighting for and the strength to fight with conviction that is a personal relationship with You. Amen.
A faithful father knows what is worth fighting for – faith, family and country.
