Independence Day Celebration in Centre Square, Philadelphia, a depiction of the celebrations of July 4th 1819, painted in 1819 by John Lewis Krimmel

In the concluding paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, you can see that our forefathers were in fact a little fed up with Great Britain. The king didn't let the colonies make any laws, they made smelly soldiers sleep in their beds and eat all their food. After a litany of complaints against the crown, here's the concluding statement.

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; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. 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.

It's interesting to think about what our lives would be like if they hadn't broken from the rule of the British king. Would you want smelly foreign soldiers sleeping in your bed?

Do you ever think about what it means to be a citizen of a nation? Do you ever wonder what it would have been like if we were known as the Clump of British States (AKA CBS)? It doesn't sound near as impressive as the United States of America and we wouldn't get to watch beautiful fireworks tonight. I guess my point is that what each of us chooses to be allegiant to effects our very way of life.

I've been wondering lately what it means to be allegiant to God's Kingdom right here in everyday life.

There are a million conflicting messages out there that preach everything from violence for peace to consumerism equals love. The one thing I do know is that Jesus is real and the love of my life, but as many of you married women know...I'm still trying to figure Him out. Just because I'm in love with Him doesn't mean I fully understand Him, it just means that I trust Him.

I'll leave you with this verse. Let me know what you're thinking.

"Are you the king of the Jews?"

"Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"

"Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"

Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place."

"You are a king, then!" said Pilate.

Jesus answered, "You are right in saying that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of the truth listens to me."

"What is truth?" retorted Pilate......

From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar."

When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out..."Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews......

"We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.

John 18:33-38, 19:12-15

Enjoy your holiday today. Pray for the oppressed and enjoy the people in your life.

Labels: Justice