by Pat Jones

What became of those men who forged the freedom of our nation by signing the Declaration of Independence? I always assumed that most of them became heroes who lived out their days in honor and comfort. When these men signed they stated, "For the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. " Some of these men were merchants, some farmers, some lawyers, but no matter what their backgrounds, each pledged to totally commit themselves to the cause of liberty. What price had to be paid when these men signed the Declaration of Independence?

Carter Braxton of Virginia had been a wealthy planter and trader .His ships were swept from the seas by the British navy. He ended up selling off all that he owned to pay his debts and died in rags. Thomas McKean served in Congress without pay while his family had to move from one location to another to escape the British. All his possessions were taken from him. The properties of Ellery, Clymer, Hall, Walton, Gwinnett, Heywood, Rutledge, and Middleton were looted.

Francis Lewis' wife was taken by the enemy and put in jail where she died within a few months. British General Cornwallis took over the home of Declaration signer Thomas Nelson, Jr. Nelson urged George Washington to open fire and the home was destroyed. Nelson died bankrupt. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she lay desperately ill. Their 13 children fled for their lives. He hid out in forests and caves for more than a year. When he finally was able to return home, his found his wife dead and his children had vanished. A few weeks later Hart died from exhaustion.

Other stories could be told about these founding fathers, but these illustrate that when they committed themselves to America, their pledge was not an idle one. They backed up their pledge with their lives

Christians may or may not be called upon to back up their commitment with their lives and fortunes. But we should be every bit as ready and every bit as committed as these early Americans were to freedom. Think of how Jesus often challenged people's commitment:

"If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23).

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37).

"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me" (Matthew 10:37).

"But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" {Luke 9:62).

" And whoever does not bear his cross and come after 'Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:27-33).

Faithful men and women of God down through the ages have had to make great sacrifices to serve God. Hebrews 11 :35-38 states, " And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented -of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth." Brothers and sisters in Christ, are you willing to pay the price of commitment?

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Page last updated: March 03, 2003