July 4, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the day many of our original signers of the Declaration of Independence raised their quills and signed their names to a document that would form a nation and transform history.
The Declaration begins with these words:
“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”
The founding fathers wrote with a clear assumption: nature has a God, and that God entitles people to live freely, separately, and equally. Their worldview shaped the very foundation of the nation.
The Declaration continues:
“We hold these 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.”
According to our founders, God Himself has given each person unquestionable rights. These rights do not originate from governments or rulers. They come from God and must be recognized by all. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness form the starting place of human existence.
At the end of the Declaration, the signers affirmed:
“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.”
These fifty‑six men came from varied backgrounds—lawyers, jurists, merchants, farmers. They were educated and influential. Yet they signed knowing full well that the penalty for treason was death.
And they fulfilled their pledge:
- Five signers were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
- Two lost sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
- Nine of the fifty‑six died from wounds or hardships of the war.
- Carter Braxton of Virginia saw his ships swept from the seas, sold his home to pay debts, and died in rags.
- Thomas McKeam was relentlessly hunted by the British. His family lived in hiding, his possessions were taken, and poverty was his reward.
- Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
- At Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr. urged General Washington to fire on his own home, which Cornwallis had taken as headquarters. The home was destroyed; Nelson died bankrupt.
- Francis Lewis lost his home and property. His wife was jailed and died within months.
- John Hart fled from his dying wife’s bedside. His thirteen children scattered. His fields and mill were destroyed. He lived in forests and caves for over a year, returning home to find his wife gone and his children vanished. He died weeks later from exhaustion and heartbreak.
They signed—and they meant every word. Their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor were not symbolic. They were the cost of freedom.
A Spiritual Declaration of Independence
In many ways, our commitment to Christ mirrors their commitment. We recognize the great human problem within us and turn to God in faith. This week I offer six words that must be included in our own spiritual Declaration of Independence.
God has extended a gracious gift to you. You have discovered twelve words you do not want to know. You understand the price you have paid for the sin you committed. You have heard the gospel in two words: “But God.” The message changes everything.
What a tragedy it would be to come this far and not accept the offer He provides. The heart of God does not want anyone to perish.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
The question that remains is simple: How? How do we receive the offer?
Here is God’s plan in six words.
1. Conviction
Salvation does not begin with us. You did not wake up one morning and decide, “I think I shall be saved today.” God began to speak to you. You became aware of your sin and sensed that God was the answer.
The Holy Spirit pointed out your sin. Guilt became unavoidable. This is conviction.
Conviction is essential—but conviction alone only makes us miserable. We can internalize guilt and never move forward.
2. Confession
Once we are aware of our sin, we must respond to God. The second word is confession.
Confession comes from two ideas: “to speak” and “the same.” The Holy Spirit tells us we have sinned. We agree with God and say the same thing He says about our sin.
Confession is necessary for salvation, but it is also necessary throughout our lives. We will feel conviction again and again—and we must confess again and again.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
3. Repentance
The third word is repentance—metanoia, meaning “to think after.” Repentance begins with sorrow for sin, but it cannot stop there. A child caught with his hand in the cookie jar may be sorry for being caught, but he has not repented if he goes right back to the jar.
Genuine repentance affects our mind, our will, and our actions. We change our thinking, desire to turn from sin, and ultimately change our behavior.
4. Faith
The fourth word is faith—paired with acceptance. Scripture defines faith clearly:
“Confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)
Faith involves believing what God has promised, hoping in Him, and walking in obedience to Him. We yield to Him and commit ourselves to Him.
We either believe Jesus’ claims or we do not. We either accept His offer of salvation or we do not. Declaring independence demands that we choose.
5. Surrender
Finally, we must surrender. To accept salvation is to surrender to Jesus as Lord. There is no salvation without surrendering to His Lordship. He is either Lord of all, or He is not Lord at all.
Scripture leaves no doubt:
- 2 Corinthians 4:5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
- Acts 16:31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
The Journey Summarized
We are convicted of sin. Conviction leads to confession. Confession leads to repentance—changing mind, will, and action. Repentance leads to faith—trusting God’s promise. Faith leads to surrender—declaring Jesus as Lord of all.
So, are you ready to declare your faith?
Two Groups of People
There are only two groups of people in the world.
Group One: Those who have received salvation
You have accepted God’s offer. You know the message is real.
To you, I offer a challenge: Worship. A quiet walk, music turned up loud—give Him glory. Let worship rise often. Consider it choir practice for heaven.
I offer another challenge: Tell someone. Take a risk and share the message with friends, family, and neighbors. Invite them to receive grace.
Group Two: Those who have not yet embraced “But God.”
Perhaps you have never heard the offer of salvation. Or perhaps you have heard it but never accepted it. Let this be your day.
If you are ready, stop now and talk with God:
God in heaven, I have come to understand the seriousness of my need. I am a sinner by my nature and by my choice. I am helpless to do anything to fix this sin. I confess that sin to you, God and also confess my belief that Jesus came to pay the price for my sin. He rose from the dead, defeating sin and death. Jesus I ask you to come into my life and cleanse me from sin. I choose to follow you, Jesus.
If you are not ready yet, pay attention to the stirring within you. Mark this page. Revisit this prayer as you continue reading. Return to it when the time is right.
