Declaration: the End or the Beginning?

Guest Post by Pastor Tim Grant
The Fathers House International Ministries, Inc.
Integrity Leadership Group LLC

It is now well past May 21^st and we are still here!  Yet another “declaration of the end” has come and gone.  Regardless of doctrine, denomination or affiliation, the church has become increasingly focused on “the end.”  When will it all come to an end?  Are you sure it will end?  How will it end?  These are but a few of the questions that have been asked and answered again and again over time.  My question is, “How many of us are ready to declare a ‘beginning?’”

Nearly 235 years ago, on July 4^th, 1776 our forefathers ended something; then declared a new beginning!  This declaration was made on behalf of themselves, their families, their countrymen and the many generations that would follow in their footsteps.  Today many celebrate the memory of this day as “Independence Day.” Yet I wonder how many of the 310 million people in our country actually understand the real significance of our Day of Independence?

I was discussing our country and its spiritual condition one day with a mentor and he spoke these words to me: “There has to be a revelation (a revealing of something) that will cause a revolution (a revolving or a turning FROM something TO something) that brings a reformation (a re-formation, a reforming of something). This thought also makes me think of the word “renovation.”  I am no contractor or builder, but I do understand that part of the process of renovating a structure is the “tearing out” of all that is “bad” and replacing it with that which is “good.”

As my mentor said these words, I could not help but think about our “declarers of independence!”  In order to better understand the true significance of July 4^th, 1776 and all it really means to us, I decided to read, again, our “Unanimous Declaration of Independence.” I was determined to put myself back into their day and that time and read it through the eyes and hearts of those who crafted and signed this divinely inspired document.  As I read, I was captured by some of the phrases such as:  “We hold these truths to be self-evident…” “… endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,” and “…whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers…to effect their Safety and Happiness.” This time, as I read, I became tearfully passionate for our country, our future and our own generation.

My angst is more with myself as a pastor and with other shepherds of His flock.  We must be more aggressive in informing and educating the people within our sphere of influence.  Someone once said, “Ignorance is no excuse.”  We need to admit our ignorance.  After all, true ignorance, by definition, is the reason revelation even exists!  The battle over ill-conceived perceptions, apathy, ignorance, perversion and hatred of the truth is being fought in our homes and in our republic on a daily basis. Only after admittance and true repentance can we begin to turn from our present state towards a place where we, as ONE people, can be re-formed!

I encourage all who read this to go and read or re-read the Declaration of Independence.  Read it slowly. Read it purposefully. And read it with the understanding that how we define words will make all the difference in how we perceive their true meaning.  Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart and reveal to you the truths that have always been the foundation of your existence as a Citizen of the United States of America.  The foundation upon which this nation was built is what is being destroyed; piece by piece.

If you are a church leader, don’t just encourage God’s people to get involved, inspire them! If you are part of a church body, decide this day that you will be the inspiration that is needed in your church!  Pray for revelation, then turn.

2 Chron. 7:14 – If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (KJV).  Our re-formation depends on it!