Hebrews 12:1-3 Being Set Free

From the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Many people think that freedom is a natural right that everyone receives just because they exist. In other words, civil rights are a product of being human, a thought from humanistic philosophy.

The fact is, civil rights, the rights of freedom are embedded, not only in the Declaration of Independence but also in the Creator, God.

Christian freedom, which was the foundation of our country, is the idea that I can choose to follow Christ as my King, and not some political figure. So our country was founded on the belief that individuals have the right to choose to follow Christ.

Hebrews 12:1 describes a cloud of witnesses. Like those early Founding Father witnesses, we as Americans continue today to uphold the belief in life, liberty (which is another word for freedom), and the pursuit of happiness.

These three ideals did not begin with the Declaration of Independence. They started with Christ.

The path to life begins when I choose Christ.

“…let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us….” (Hebrews 12:1, HCSB)

“entangled by a sin” – Sin by its very nature entangles us.

“…Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,”

(Hebrews 12:1, HCSB)

(Romans 6:23, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9, John 10:10)

The path to liberty is paved by the blood of Christ.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed,”

(Luke 4:18, HCSB)

“Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.”

(John 8:36, HCSB)

“…Jesus…who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.” (Hebrews 12:2, HCSB)

The path to happiness is fulfilled when I follow Christ.

“the pursuit of happiness”

“…Jesus…who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.”

(Hebrews 12:2, HCSB)

Jesus blazed a trail which led to His happiness. He wants you to follow His path.

“A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” (John 10:10, HCSB)

“keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith…”

(Hebrews 12:2, HCSB)

The path to happiness is not easy, but it is fulfilling.

“For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:3, HCSB)

Even the Founding Fathers knew that the creation of a new country would not bring happiness. However, they knew that if the conditions were rightly set in these United States, then everyone had the chance to pursue or find happiness.

For the Christian, happiness is not just that I decided to accept Christ and His free gift of salvation. Happiness is achieved when I pursue Christ and His desire for my life.

Unfortunately, in today’s world, Americans have been taught that they alone can find happiness in various forms. The genius of the Founding Fathers was to allow everyone the freedom to find happiness in their own way, through the freedom of religion. Because they knew that true happiness only comes in following the Creator Jesus Christ.

So when you decide to take part in the Independence Day celebrations this week, remember the Founding Fathers – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton (they are on your currency by the way). But don’t forget to remember Christ. Think about life, liberty, and how we have come so far. But also remember that you will only achieve true happiness when you follow Christ.

Photo by Brandon Mowinkel on Unsplash