Based on the title above, I bet you thought that this week’s blog was going to be all about how and why America’s initial Pilgrims and Puritans sought their independence by seceding from Great Britain (England), which was their Mother country. Well, your assumptions would be partially correct. But what I really want to blog about is how those events of 1620 and 1630 line up with the word of God and the authority he has imparted to his Son, Jesus Christ, to dispense to his people regarding freedom.
On June 7, 1777, select members from the 13 American colonies met at the Continental Congress convened at the Pennsylvania State House to draft a formal statement declaring their independence and freedom from England. Similar words had already been written in Galatians 5:1 giving all of mankind their independence and freedom in Christ Jesus.
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
In the 1500s after breaking away from the Roman Catholic Church, due to a royal matrimony dispute, England created a new church denomination called the Church of England. In addition, a royal edict declared that all England had to belong to this new denomination. God’s word in James 4:7-8 provides guidance to all those who seek godly advice in such matters concerning the heart.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded”.
Approximately one hundred years later a group of worshipers in England known as Separatists sought to separate themselves from the Church of England so that they could practice their own religious customs freely. Their leader, William Bradford, was successful in obtaining permission to establish a new colony in Virginia. Therefore, his congregation left England and set sail on the Mayflower in September 1620 for the New World (America). Hopefully, the mindset of those Pilgrims aligned with the word of God which is written in Psalm 33:12.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!”
Ten years later in 1630, the Puritans, yet another group of reformers seeking religious freedom, readied themselves to leave England. Basically, they wanted to flee the harsh punishments inflected upon all those who opposed the teachings of the Church of England. (I have no idea if the Puritans’ incentive was based on this holy word written in Galatians 5:13.)
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
The Puritans headed out for the New World under the leadership of John Winthrop, with a charter from the Massachusetts Bay Company. This group of worshippers finally settled in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. It is recorded in history that this group did believe that God would protect them if they obeyed his laws and commandments.
Approximately one hundred years later in 1777, the New World (America) had received an influx of new migrants from England, and they had established thirteen colonies along the coastal lands of America. It was now time for the new settlers to officially gain their independence from the Mother country, Great Britain.
On June 7, 1777, the Continental Congress met to formulate a document seceding all colonies (in force at that time and in the future) from England’s ownership and rule. Due to in-house bickering and political disagreements, Congress had to establish a five-man committee to draft a resolution to be agreed upon prior to voting. The resolution was finally passed and ratified on July 2, 1777. Hear what the Bible says about legislated freedoms in 2 Corinthians 3:17 and Romans 8:2.
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”“For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
In conclusion of this brief American History Lesson, please allow me to draw another quote from the Holy Bible; John 8:36.
“So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
THUS, AS A RESULT OF THESE ACTS CHRONICLED ABOVE, A FEW DEVOTED INDIVIDUALS ESTABLISHED THE 4TH OF JULY WHICH HAS BECOME A NATIONAL HOLIDAY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Below is a prayer in song for the land and inhabitants of America. Skip the commercials and stand and salute the American flag as you prayerfully listen to the words.Just CLICK the name Kate Smith.