As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary this Fourth of July, we have every reason to praise God for His providence and blessings on our nation.
A quarter millennium ago, 56 men risked their fortunes, their reputations, and their very lives to declare that our rights come not from kings or governments, but from our Creator. That biblical conviction has sustained America through war, hardship, and division, and it remains the foundation of our liberty today.
The Founders did not fight for independence merely to benefit themselves. They sacrificed to secure freedom for their children, grandchildren, and generations yet unborn. They built this nation for us—and entrusted us with preserving it.
That is the mission we carry forward at IFI: not merely to admire America’s founding principles, but to pass them on—clearly, courageously, and faithfully—to the next generation.
Our Founders also understood that liberty cannot survive without virtue. George Washington wrote,
“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”
Benjamin Franklin warned,
“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.”
John Adams added,
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
As fireworks light the sky, remember the God who created and has graciously preserved our nation. Give thanks for America’s rich Christian heritage, and never forget the foundations that made this nation great. History teaches that nations which forget their heritage and abandon their moral foundations are often destroyed—not first by foreign enemies, but by decay from within.
One simple way to honor our nation’s founding this weekend is to gather your family and read the Declaration of Independence aloud. It is a powerful reminder of the timeless truths upon which America was built. We must never forget our history or the biblical principles that made America great. God has richly blessed our nation. May we be faithful stewards of that precious heritage for generations to come.
Even more importantly, teach your children and grandchildren that true liberty begins with the freedom found in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:2; John 8:36). The Holy Spirit gives us liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17), and people who understand that freedom are far more likely to cherish, defend, and preserve the civil liberties God has entrusted to us (Galatians 5:1).
May we use the freedoms God has graciously given us to honor Him by remaining faithful, strengthening our families, serving our communities, and preserving the blessing of self-government for generations to come.
