“The Colossus of that Congress—the great pillar of support to the Declaration of Independence, and its ablest advocate and champion on the floor of the House.” – Thomas Jefferson
If I have a favorite Founding Father, I would have to say it has got to be John Adams. He was very much a prophet for his time. He was righteously bold, fearless, extremely intelligent, and selfless.
John was sold out to the American cause on the behalf of the posterity of the forefathers, you and me, in establishing this country that we all claim to love so much.
One of the many Founding Fathers who left a testimony of both his private and public Christian commitment was John Adams, who was a patriot, signer of the Declaration of Independence, first vice-president of the United States, second president, and one of two men to sign the Bill of Rights.
Few have labored as strenuously or as extensively in securing American independence and setting the young nation upon a solid national foundation as John Adams, and his remembrance of the role of Christianity (Acts 11:26).
As a matter of fact, Adams served on more committees than any other congressman—ninety in all, of which he chaired twenty.
Friends, what I want to highlight here is that John Adams clearly identified the religious unifying forces of American independence responding to other sources from which he quotes, Adams addressed the real source of American independence upon the general principles of Christianity (Philippians 2:16).
Adams went on to say that the general principles, on which the Forefathers achieved independence, were only the principles in which that beautiful assembly of young gentlemen could unite, and these principles only could be intended by them in their address, or by me in my answer.
And what were these general principles? I answer, the general principles of Christianity in which all those sects were united; (under the umbrella of the Christian faith) and the general principles of English and American liberty, in which all those young men united, and which had united all parties in America, in majorities sufficient to assert and maintain her independence.
Now I will avow, that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity, are as eternal and immutable, as the existence and attributes of God:
“…and that those principles of liberty, are as unalterable as human nature and our terrestrial, mundane system. I could therefore safely say, consistently with all my then and present information, that I believed that they would never make discoveries in contradiction to these general principles.”
“I have examined all religions, and the result is that the Bible is the best book in the world.”
John even went on to say that “Without religion (Christianity), this world would be something not fit to be mentioned in polite company: I mean hell..”
“The Christian religion is, above all the religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of wisdom, virtue, equity and humanity.”
John even recommended that all nations should take the Bible for their only law book when he said:
“Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. What a Eutopia – what a Paradise would this region be!”
Friends, consider the price that John Adams paid during the founding era. He spent years abroad laboring day and night without his family, while Abigail took care of the farm and children, and this during perilous times. He did all of this in sacrifice of himself to this great country of ours. Let us not forget these profound statements made by this man.
“Posterity! You will never know, how much it cost the present Generation, to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will make a good Use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven, that I ever took half the Pains to preserve it.”
