The Abundant Life: Riches money can’t buy…
The abundant life knows that freedom is not free. It comes with a cost.
With the Fourth of July just around the corner, we went to see a revival of the musical 1776. Once again I was reminded that getting delegates from all thirteen colonies to sign the Declaration of Independence in 1776 was no small feat. In fact, it was miraculous.
The musical ends with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, but history shows us that this event was more than just writing their “John Hancock” on a piece of paper. Those men had courage. From the moment they signed their names, they became traitors in the eyes of the British. They sacrificed a lot so that we might have freedom.
Did you know that the British considered John Hancock and Sam Adams criminals and had a price on their heads? The British chased Thomas McKean, George Read, and William Hooper like foxes. They had to move their families from town to town to escape being captured. Ned Rutledge, the youngest signer, and Thomas Hayward Jr. were made prisoners of war. Richard Stockton was captured, tortured, and killed. James Otis was beaten by British and left mentally deranged.
William Floyd, Lyman Hall, George Clymer, and Lewis Morris had their homes plundered and destroyed. While “Honest John” Hart was away, his wife died during an attack on his home. His children had to flee to neighbors for refuge. Francis Lewis had his Long Island mansion destroyed. His wife was imprisoned and tortured. The Revolutionary War swept away his fortune.
War costs money, so many other fortunes were lost, too. Lewis Morris was a very wealthy merchant in Philadelphia. His home and business was destroyed. He ended up in debtor’s prison. Thomas Nelson died, also leaving his family deeply in debt.
John Morton of Pennsylvania had all of his friends (mostly Quakers) turn against him. These stories could go on and on. The trials of all 56 men are too numerous to mention. They did more than sign a historic document; they sacrificed their lives so that we might have freedom.
Someone else sacrificed His life for my freedom. His name is Jesus Christ. He was rich and for me, He became poor. (11 Corinthians 8:9) He died to give me freedom from sin and freedom from bondage. (Romans 6:18, 22; Galatians 5:1) He gave me the free gift of righteousness and the free gift of grace. (Romans 5:17; Ephesians 2:8) Through His death, I have free justification. (Romans 3:24) Christ has made us free indeed! (John 8:31-36)
Those living the abundant life realize that nothing in life is free. Someone always has to pay a price.
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“…I have come that they may have life and that they
may have it more abundantly.” ~John 10:10 (KJV)
