Life Matters - July 2, 2025
‘’Give me liberty or give me death!’’ – Patrick Henry, in a speech he gave at the second Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775, convened in St. John’s church in Richmond Virginia, was all in. To continue submitting to the burdensome rule, including taxation, of the British Crown had become unacceptable to Mr. Henry and the like-minded of his contemporaries. Calling the colonial leaders together for consultation, purposing the formation of a new, a more localized government, seemed as if it were the only option left open to them if they were to retain their dignity and prosperity in the ‘New World’ that was, from Columbus to now, known as a part of the British Colonies. Great Britian was setting itself in resistance to the resistance and the two resisting powers were being inevitably drawn into the seething cauldron of war. A war neither side wanted, but neither could resist… apart from a change of heart and mind.
The resulting formation of the United States of America, with its Constitution and eventual clarifying Amendments, has blessed its millions of citizens to this day. Its formal formation on July 4th, 1776 is celebrated every year with fireworks and celebrating get-togethers in parks and homes across America. As American citizens we have much to be thankful for.
God has been honored by many in this setting of liberty. He has also been dishonored. By individuals. But in recent decades, more than ever before, by the government still retaining its motto stating “In God We Trust.”
The sins of America have been many and well known. The debauchery of the past few decades, however, are unparalleled in America’s history. Though wickedness has always been a part of many who used liberty to serve the flesh, still, a respect for God, Bible, family, church and faith had been retained in the government and general populace. President Trump’s attempt to return to those roots is to be respected.
Nationwide church membership is reported to have gone from 63.3% of the U.S. population in 1960, (having remained near 70% since Gallup first measured it in 1937) to dipping below the halfway mark (49%) in 2020.
I do not wish to be depressing, but lest we forget, let me remind us that membership in “the church” is not the same as being “in Christ,” having been saved and cleansed by His shed blood. (I John 1:7 & John 17:20-23) History bears record to it not always having been, and being, as it should be. Let us grow from the root of Jesse—which is Jesus. (Isaiah 11:1 & Romans 15:12)
In Acts chapter 2, the disciples of Jesus who met together until they ‘’received power from on high’’ as Jesus had promised in Acts 1:4-8, were transformed by God’s Spirit descending upon and indwelling them. They were cleansed from a guilty conscience and thereby set free. Set free from the fear of man. Set free from all hindrances to preaching the good news. Set free to preach the bad news leading to Good News. Set free to preach the Truth. In Love. Out of love for the listeners, they no longer feared what might happen. The Love of Christ poured out of Peter. Fearful Peter was set free in a liberty so overwhelming that some thought him to be drunk. Indeed, said that of all the disciples. Peter would have none of it; ‘’these are not drunken as ye suppose’’ he said and then went on to explain what was happening. Beginning with the Old Testament prophets he showed the fulfilling of prophecy in the supernatural annointings of this day. His explanation of what was happening was only an opening to his real message—Jesus Christ crucified, risen, exalted on high, ‘’hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.’’ (verse 33)
Three thousand of those who heard Peter’s sermon that day believed and were baptized. But not all in the crowd believed. Already in the following two chapters, upon the healing of the lame man and Peter exhorting the crowd that ran together in chapter 3, where another 5000 people became believers, there were leaders that were not happy. Annas the high priest and certain of the Jewish leaders were not of those that believed. When they heard directly from Peter, who was filled with the Holy Ghost, that it was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth that the lame man was healed and ‘’saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.’’ They could say nothing against the healing.
These rulers had not yet seen how Jesus—this man who walked as one of them—did, and was, fulfilling the law and the prophecies spoken of Him by their own prophets, sent to them from God. Despite miraculous healings they stuck with old covenant ceremony, thereby denying the very fulfillment of ceremony and prophetic utterances—Jesus. Hence they threatened Peter and John and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. To which Peter and John answered, ‘’Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’’
Peter and John had seen and heard. The Truth had set them free. They knew it could cost them their life. But they had tasted liberty, freedom from fleshly vices, including the fear of man. Freedom was, and is, exhilarating and they were all in. In essence they said, and I think I can almost hear them say; ‘’Give me liberty or give me death!’’ May we faithfully fill that place in our day. Perhaps we are here for such a time as this. ‘’If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.’’
Life Matters!