In Psalm 16:6, King David wrote, “…yea, I have a goodly heritage.”  As we celebrate our nation’s independence in a couple of days, I believe it is good to be reminded of our country’s Christian heritage.  That’s why I’m stepping aside for some of our nation’s founding fathers and later leaders and allowing them to write their thoughts this week.  Take time to read and digest their words.  You see, regardless of what you may hear, these were men who believed the phrase “Under God” was more than just a motto; it was a truth to live by.  God help us to feel the same way.

“I … recommend my Soul to that Almighty Being who gave it, and my body I commit to the dust, relying upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.” (Samuel Adams, Father of the American Revolution, Signer of the Declaration of Independence)

“On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for salvation and on His merits; not on the works I have done in obedience to His precepts.” (Charles Carroll, Signer of the Declaration of Independence)

“This is all the inheritance I can give to my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.” (Patrick Henry, Governor of Virginia)

“The only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government is the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible.”  (Benjamin Rush, Signer of the Declaration of Independence)

“I entreat you in the most earnest manner to believe in Jesus Christ, for there is no salvation in any other. If you are not reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, if you are not clothed with the spotless robe of His righteousness, you must forever perish.” (John Witherspoon, Signer of the Declaration of Independence)

“The laws of nature are the laws of God, whose authority can be superseded by no power on earth.”  (George Mason, Father of the Bill of Rights)

“The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God and teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the next. Continue therefore to read it and to regulate your life by its precepts.”   (John Jay, first chief justice of the Supreme Court)

“To the distinguished character of patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.” (General George Washington at Valley Forge)

“The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.”  (President George Washington)

“We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.” (President James Madison)

“The highest glory of the American Revolution was this – it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the precepts of Christianity.” (President John Quincy Adams)

“The Bible is the rock on which our Republic rests.”  (President Andrew Jackson)

“Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him, who has never yet forsaken this favored land, are still competent to adjust, in the best way, all our present difficulty.”  (President Abraham Lincoln)

“All must admit that the reception of the teachings of Christ results in the purest patriotism, in the most scrupulous fidelity to public trust, and in the best type of citizenship.”  (President Grover Cleveland)

“It is necessary for the welfare of the nation that men’s lives be based on the principles of the Bible. No man, educated or uneducated, can afford to be ignorant of the Bible.”  (President Theodore Roosevelt)

“The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.”  (President Calvin Coolidge)

“Without God there is no virtue because there is no prompting of the conscience…without God there is a coarsening of the society; without God democracy will not and cannot long endure…If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a Nation gone under.”  (President Ronald Reagan)

This is our heritage: Under God.  May we always live it, speak out in defense of it, and trust God to keep it so.