As a result of the Great Awakening that swept through the American colonies from 1730 to 1770, America became the most literate and educated place in the world. This translated into a deep devotion to freedom because, as Jesus had declared, “The truth will make you free” (see John 8:32). Where there is a devotion to truth, we will find a devotion to liberty. The truth requires liberty because truth is not found under compulsion, but rather by the hearts of those who esteem truth as the treasure it is.
The devotion to liberty is a noble cause, but even the most resolute devotion to this in the past failed to bring about true and lasting liberty. Why? What enabled the American Patriots to secure their liberty and then keep it? What compelled them to stand up to the most powerful empire in the world, risking all they had spent their lives building and facing almost certain death as traitors? What kind of motivation compelled so many of the most brilliant, successful, and wealthy men of the time to do what they did?
Love.
As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Love never fails” (see I Corinthians 13:8). Love is the only motivator guaranteed not to fail. Why? This text could also have been interpreted “Love never quits.” There is a point where anyone will quit if driven by any other motive, but those in love will never quit.
The Revolutionary War was not just a war against the British. The colonists had grievances with the British, but what compelled them to risk so much, and endure so much, was more than what they were against. It was for the love of their country, and for the love of their families and neighbors. Yet, most of all it was for the love of God and His truth.
As we will see, this was articulated in the private journals, writings, and speeches of the Founders. They were not as much against the British as they were for a new kind of country. They were for something so great that it compelled them to rise to greatness, giving birth to a nation unlike any other that had ever existed. They would have a government that existed for the people instead of the people existing for the government. This was a stunning departure from anything that had existed before.
Only love could have kept the American patriots going after suffering so many defeats, having their homes, property, and churches destroyed, and with the odds against them growing. The soldiers were not paid their promised wages, and they were poorly fed and poorly equipped. Yet, they marched on.
There were as many colonists that wanted to stay loyal to the crown and fight against the Patriots as there were those fighting with them, and the British were arming the loyalists. These were added to the ranks of what was already the most powerful army in the world. Still the Patriots did not quit.
No superficial concept of liberty could have inspired the Patriots to do what they did. When we study the writings of the American Founding Fathers, they reveal a substance and depth of vision that few have acquired in any cause. As we are told in Scripture, the Holy Spirit searches the depths, even the depths of God. This was a work of the Holy Spirit.
Rarely in history do we find even two great thinkers that come together for a single purpose. When there were just two brothers on the whole earth they could not get along, and it is rare in history to ever find even two who collaborate. The American Founding Fathers would have each been extraordinary in any time, but for all of them to live at the same time is as rare an anomaly in history as can be found. For all of them to actually live in the same country, and then come together to found a nation, challenges all mathematical possibilities. This did not happen by random chance, but it was a miracle that could not have happened without Divine engineering.
No doubt such a gathering as the American Founding Fathers is unique in history, but it was not just the expanse and depth of their knowledge that made them so remarkable. Having great knowledge, and even great vision, is the easy part—turning the vision into reality is what separates the dreamers from the truly great. Even after their victory over the British, no one thought that they could build a nation on such lofty vision, but they did. Then, no one thought that it could possibly last—but it has.
The colonists won their independence to the shock of the entire world. Yet, building the nation would be an even more difficult struggle. Many colonists just wanted another king. A good king of course, someone who was one of them and would care for their interests, but a king nonetheless. Imperial government was the only kind that existed at the time. So, what made them so bold and determined to form a kind of government that had never before been successful?
There was only one thing that enabled them to continuously face such a seemingly impossible task and think that they could do it. There was only one thing that enabled them to continue on such a difficult path after such a long war that had so devasted their land—they believed in destiny. They believed they had a Divine mandate, and that purpose was more precious to them than their own lives. But they did not just have a great purpose—they loved their purpose.
Despite the attempt by revisionist historians to change our history, the devout Christian convictions of the American Founders are verified by their writings and speeches. There was a strong sentiment in some of them, like Jefferson, that was resistant to “institutional Christianity,” although he, and most of the others who shared his views, declared their deep fidelity to Christ and the gospel. With the conviction that truth had to be freely embraced to become living truth, our Founders were resolved to establish a place where there was true religious liberty. They were never anti-religion as revisionists would have us believe, as we will see.
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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. —Thomas Jefferson, Author of The Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States
It is the duty of all men in society, publicly, and at stated seasons, to worship the Supreme Being, the great Creator and Preserver of the universe. And no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping God in the manner most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; or for his religious profession or sentiments; provided he doth not disturb the public peace, or obstruct others in their religious worship. – John Adams, Second President of the United States
© 2020 by Rick Joyner. All rights reserved.
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