OUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE

In honor of this weeks 4th of July Holiday I thought it would be good to remind ourselves of the document that started a revolution that began our great nation. The sacrifice of the signers should make us appreciate the freedoms we all have today.

What is the greatest document ever written by man? Many would immediately identify the Bible, but Gods Word was not written solely by man. It was divinely inspired, meaning it had dual authorship. The Bible was written by God and man.Some would say that the Magna Carta signed by the English King John was the greatest document because it provided liberty for England.Some would even say the United States Constitution is the greatest document ever penned by man, and it is a great. But I believe the greatest document written by humans in the history of mankind is the Declaration of Independence, the birth certificate of the United States of America. Now the United States Constitution is a magnificent document and no nation in history has such a charter of incorporation. But, the Constitution is, in reality, an outgrowth of the Declaration of Independence---and could never have been written without the courageous and brilliant composition of our national birth certificate. Listen to 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." (Signed August 2, 1776.) And these concluding words: "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."And 56 American heroes signed it... for which many of them paid with their lives and fortunes."Yes, I believe this is the greatest document ever written -- not for its beauty, even though it is penned in beautiful, prosaic English; not for its simplicity and clarity, although it is understood by the smallest child; and not for its judicial logic, though lawyers and courts still examine it thoroughly and often for its legal brilliance.

I believe the Declaration of Independence is the greatest document ever written because of what it has produced. The Declaration of Independence is a soul-liberating document that has revolutionized the world.The Declaration of Independence is the greatest document because: It promised the greatest good; It influenced the greatest number of people; It provided the greatest quality of life; It gave birth to the greatest nation and that nation provided the greatest freedom in history; and...it led to the greatest advancement in the civilization of mankind this world has ever known. As you examine these self-evident truths, you will discover that our founding fathers believed in four basic Christian tenets; and they included their Christian beliefs in their declaration of independence. What did they believe? 1. They believed in a Creator. 2. They believed God created them in His own image. 3. They believed that Gods supernatural act (i.e. the miracle and sanctity of life) to create mankind should continue to be extended to every person. 4. They believed in absolute truth which they called inalienable rights or self-evident truths.America is blessed with this foundational document.

We are also blessed with the faith of the founding fathers. What our nation needs more then ever is a rededication to God, the Bible and the Declaration of Independence.Remember, all the signers suffered greatly, so we could enjoy so much. Think on these things as you enjoy the freedom that the signers granted us some 231 years ago.

Note: Don't forget to join your community on the Enfield Town Green this weekend as we celebrate the 4th of July holiday. What better way to honor our heritage and celebrate our community then at the Enfield Celebration. See ya there!
Greg Stokes