In three days, we turn our attention to celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence and our subsequent freedom. However, it began 284 years before that with a man’s idea “to carry the Light of Christ into the darkness of undiscovered heathen lands and to bring the inhabitants of those lands to the holy faith of Christianity.” (The Light and the Glory; Peter Marshall). When Christopher (Christ-bearer) Columbus set foot on dry land he prayed; “O Lord, Almighty and everlasting God, by Thy holy Word Thou hast created the heaven, and the earth and the sea; blessed and glorified by Thy Name and praised by Thy Majesty, which hath deigned to use us, Thy humble servants, that Thy holy Name may be proclaimed in this second part of the earth. (ibid).
The desire to bring Christianity to the New World was of course God’s idea beginning with Columbus, and moving on to the Founding Fathers in 1776 and beyond. They recognized that true liberty can only be established through a biblical worldview. That is exactly what took place 244 years ago making America the most powerful, wealthiest and freest nation in history. This freedom was bought and maintained by the blood of America’s patriots and churches faithful to the Word of God through the centuries.
What began 528 years ago with a cross planted on the shores of a new world and its message proclaimed is now in jeopardy. 1 Corinthians 1:18-21,25 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. . . . For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. ‘Funny’ how history repeats itself when we refuse to learn from the past, when we refuse to retain our history, good or bad. “Scrapping historical knowledge deprives pupils of the instrument for criticizing society here and now.” (America’s Christian History; Gary DeMar). Emphasizing the autonomy of the individual and the authority of reason instead of revelation, secular humanism, “resplendent in its promise of a world in which the never-realized Christian ideal of “love thy neighbor” will be finally achieved.” (ibid).
It is always dangerous to place man’s wisdom and power above God’s. There is an urgent need once again for a return to the God of the Bible, to live a Biblical worldview with the cross and its message front and center.
May we safely enjoy celebrating our independence and liberty without taking it for granted. Never lose sight of our Christian heritage or fail to pass it on to the next generation.
~Next communique will return to The Trail of Blood.
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
July 5, 9:00 Sunday morning worship. Sermon: Rest for the Weary.
Thursday 2, 10:00 quilting
If you have not returned your CPC baby bottle please do so Sunday. Thank you.
*Be sure to visit our website, (pilotknob.org) and take a look, it’s being remade and there is an online button to donate electronically.
