In 1733, a group of Europeans led by James E. Oglethorpe created a permanent North American settlement called Savannah. Spain also wanted to lay claim to this territory and in 1742, Oglethorpe defeated the Spanish armies, laying claims to the territory for Great Britain.
As tensions rose between England and the colonies, the Savannah territory was growing and expanding. In honor of King George II, the territory was name Georgia. During the Revolutionary War, Georgia was divided between Loyalists and Patriots. Savannah became a British base during the war. However, by the end of the war in 1783, Georgia was firmly a Patriot territory and on this day in 1788, Georgia became the first southern state to ratify the Constitution and become the fourth state admitted to the Union.
We know that 46 more states would eventually join this Union with Hawaii becoming the 50th state in 1959. It’s been 65 years since we expanded last. Could it happen again?
President-elect Trump, in an interview with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau suggested “maybe Canada should become the 51st state” when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told him his proposed tariffs would “kill the Canadian economy.”1 While that may seem extreme, logistically it’s not a bad idea provided we get make Canada conservative rather than allowing it’s liberal policies to trickle south of the current borders.
Currently, the United States has 16 territories, the most familiar of those being Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. Both Alaska and Hawaii were originally U.S. territories before becoming states. Why don’t we add more? (By the way, Alaska was admitted to the Union on tomorrow’s date, January 3, 1959.)
Granted, I don’t know how all of this works and maybe there are some legitimate reasons why the territories can’t or shouldn’t become states. One of the things, though, that I sense is that the 50 states want to remain 50 states. We don’t want to change our flag, and we don’t want to change our borders. We like things just the way they are so don’t go messin’ with it!
Believe me – I get that. But what if that would have been the attitude after the 16th state, Tennessee, was added to the Union? What if everyone in those 16 states would have said, “That’s it. No more. We like things just the way they are.” Ohio wouldn’t have made it into the Union!
My point in this devotional isn’t to get anyone on board with increasing our borders for our country. It goes far beyond that. Some people have that attitude about their church. “It’s MY church and I know everyone that’s here. Our families have been in this church for 50 years and things have been just fine without a bunch of outsiders showing up.”
Talk about an attitude that will instantly kill the growth of the church!
Acts 2:41-47 says, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (43) And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. (44) And all that believed were together, and had all things common; (45) And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
It wasn’t long before this number substantially increased. Acts 4:1-4 says, “And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, 
came upon them, (2) Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. (3) And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. (4) Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.”
Imagine someone in the early church saying, “Our church is just getting too big. I don’t know these strangers. Everything is changing and I just don’t feel like I’m a part of it anymore.”
Georgia, the Peach State, became the 16th of 50 states on January 3, 1788. The 50 states could one day become 60 states or more. And our church could add many new members in 2025. Let’s roll out the welcome mat and give them an early church kind of welcome!
“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. (33) And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:32-33)
1https://www.newsweek.com/trump-suggested-canada-could-become-51st-state-justin-trudeau-report-1994552
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