The celebration of American independence centers around the words in the famous declaration signed and affirmed by the founders in 1776 that included these words,
“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…”
Liberty to them meant freedom from the tyranny of an oppressive government, namely, England, at that time. And that by declaring independence, the original thirteen colonies was declaring self-governance for maintaining and preserving the unalienable (meaning, impossible to be taken away or transferred) rights of everyone. As the first president of the United States put it,
“The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.” – George Washington
Ever since the nation was born, the “sacred fire of liberty” has brightly blazed in American hearts, minds, and souls. It’s what helps make American exceptionalism exceptional. It’s emphasized in our Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag, “…with liberty and justice for all.” It’s enshrined on the Statue of Liberty. And don’t forget The Liberty Bell! Yes, it’s virtually echoed throughout every American sector—the yearning to be free. And who, may I ask, put that “sacred fire of liberty” there in the first place?
I believe it goes back much farther than the Declaration of Independence. It really goes back to ancient times. More specifically, we can trace “the sacred fire of liberty” to Biblical times—to the founding of Israel, God’s chosen nation.
Keep in mind that for about 400 years, the children of Israel were sojourners in Egypt (Genesis 15:13; Acts 7:6). For hundreds of years after Joseph and his generation were gone and new generations were born, Israel was put into slavery under the tyrannical rule of Pharaoh (Exodus 1:8-14). The children of Israel cried out to God that he would deliver them out of bondage so they could escape the land and be made free (Exodus 2:23-25). Then, God heard their prayers and called forth Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt and to their promised land, thus establishing liberty for his people (Exodus 3:10-22).
When Israel received God’s Law during their wilderness wanderings, civil liberty was established as an integral part of the Law. In the Sabbath Law, for example, the people were instructed never to forget they were once slaves in Egypt but by God’s mighty hand they were delivered (Deuteronomy 5:15).
Their Law incorporated the Year of Jubilee as an emancipation proclamation of sorts. The people were to count off seven Sabbaths of years, seven times seven years, or 49 years for themselves. But on the following year, they were to release all land and property in dedication to the Lord, Therefore, every 50th year—called the Year of Jubilee—there was to be a full releasing of people from their debts, all slaves were to be freed, and each one was to return property to those who owned it. The land was to be at rest: no reaping or harvesting that year. and each one was to return to their families and loved ones. It was on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29-34) that a ram’s horn was sounded to signal the start of the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:1-22).
It is significant to point out that when God established his Law for Israel it was their life-line of liberty for bringing them countless blessings. Psalm 119—the longest chapter in the Bible—is all about loving God’s Law and the liberty it brings:
“So I will keep Your law continually,
Forever and ever.
And I will walk at liberty,
For I seek Your precepts.” (vss. 44-45; New American Standard Bible 1995, NASB 1995)
In the New Testament, James refers to the Law as “perfect” saying,
“But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.” (NASB 1995)
Notice James calls it “the law of liberty.” If we desire to strive for perfection, we are going to desire the liberty to pursue it. But there’s just one catch that we cannot ignore: While there’s no flaw in God’s Law there are plenty of flaws in our human nature. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23) and thus we cannot attain to the perfect Law of liberty on our own initiative.
That’s what seems to make the “sacred fire of liberty” that much more intense. We truly want liberty but the harsh reality is, no matter how hard we try, we cannot achieve it because we are sinful human beings. The more we attempt to attain it through our own efforts and ideas, the more likely we are to fail.
So, does that mean there is no way to satisfy our yearning for liberty and genuinely enjoy the fruit it produces? The Good News is, “No, there is a way.” In fact, it’s the only way that God, himself, has arranged according to his grace.
Back in the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah recorded,
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Because the Lord has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives
And freedom to prisoners.” (Isaiah 61:1, NASB 1995)
Israel’s long-lasting hope is based on this promise—that when their Messiah appears—he will lead them to eternal glory and bring everlasting liberty to all along with peace, prosperity, healing, and joy. Moreover, they would be a blessing to all nations of the earth. (Isaiah 60:1-3). What hasn’t happened, yet, is their acceptance of the One who came to set them free in the first place—Jesus the Christ.
Jesus affirmed that he is the One that God has chosen to bring liberty to all. When Jesus was in the synagogue before his fellow Jew, he stood up to read from these same words from Isaiah and he said to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing,” (Luke 4:16-21, NASB 1995) In proclaiming liberty, Jesus claimed his God-given right to set us all free through him.
It’s important to emphasize that Jesus, and not any human government or any other philosophy or religion, or person, can bring liberty like Jesus (John 14:6). Indeed, he is the Son of God and Son of Man who perfectly fulfills all that the Law of liberty requires.
So, what we cannot fully attain ourselves, Christ has done for us for he is our atonement, the perfect, sinless sacrifice who died for our sins. And he was raised for our justification so that we may receive eternal life when he returns at the sound of a trumpet in power and glory (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Galatians 5:1; Romans 5:6-11; Hebrews 9:11-14). When Jesus comes again, he will remove the curse of sin and set all believers free from sin and all of its results, including death (1 Corinthians 15:20-28; Revelation 21:3-5; 22:3).
Whether the “sacred fire of liberty” burns in a nation or any individual, it’s Good News to know that all liberty is in God’s plan and purpose. While we long for it, we know God wants us to have it for it is truly rewarding in so many ways. We do not want to abuse it, but we do want to use it as God directs and not through our own futility or foolishness.
Remember the words of Jesus in John 8:36,
“If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”
Good News to YOU!
And to all Americans, Happy Independence Day!
Pastor Michael
P.S. Here’s a prayer in song that reminds us where our liberty comes from and why we can rejoice on account of it: https://youtu.be/VKj7FLg3WVA