Our culture is in constant bombardment with messaging intended to shift culture to toward a conclusion that either men can rule themselves, or they cannot. It seems the latter has been winning.
Many in the Liberty movement do their best to be citizen lobbyists for Liberty in their circles. These folks feel the loss of Liberty. They know what they believe, They see the chains being forged, and they do their best to lobby those who will hear that there is danger in every level of government today from blatant violations of our Constitution with indefinite detention of American citizens, blanket citizen surveillance, an imbalance of federal power, unfunded obligations by our states, expanding appointed bureaucracies with police powers over private property and activity, States becoming enslaved to the very entity they created. Local governments helpless to State demands, and NGOs bringing gas to the bonfire of local government budgets.
With all the noise, our citizens have detached, those that still have jobs work feverishly to make the ends meet. Those that have fallen into the trap of government compassion find it hard to rationalize a lateral financial move, Neither camp with any hope of petitioning their government with a redress of grievances and logically expecting any satisfaction whatsoever. Only the persistent burden of increased taxation, inflationary costs of goods and services, along with requests for millage funding that can be counted on as consistent from our local governments, and they say call your legislator if you want things to change.......We believe that government tries to do "to much" the resulting dependence hampers ambition. The cronyism unfairly stifles competition. We believe in a more free market system with a very limited government with few and defined duties at all levels. we believe welfare fraud is rampant by the wealthy, not just the poor, and government "help" rarely ends in any sustainable improvement.
We have largely lost our way as a people, from those who are lost at the bottom, to those who are lost at the top, both despising the other, and both taking from the system paid for by the shrinking worker base that actually pay a tax. There is an unfilled hole in America's soul today. At one time it was filled with the comfort of our creator spawning rugged individualism like the world has never seen, and then it became filled with money and that led to the national apathy that allowed a government of delegated power to abuse the people since nobody bothered to check up on them.
I came across this chapter in a book I recently bought. It's chapter 8 in KrisAnne Hall's "The Path To Restoring America"
The message is strong that we need pastoral leaders to awaken the masses to the blessings of Liberty. That dependence is not Liberty. That politics is local and extremely important. That God does not recognize the "no trespassing" sign that our legislators, courts, and even pastors like to impose on him. That Christians are duty bound to stand against unrighteousness especially in our governments.
Enjoy this excerpt of the book "Liberty First" and visit www.KrisAnnehall.com to get educated and decide where you might be able to inject yourself in the struggle for Liberty.
And please forward this blog post to your pastor regardless of denomination.
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Our founders gave us a nation built on the principles of religious liberty, a nation in which the government may not coerce the citizen to believe or not believe. They envisioned a nation where the atheist and the believer alike could be free to follow the dictates of his own conscience. The founders established a nation where no man would be forced to worship and no man would be forced to be silent in his expression of faith. One of the things that has made America exceptional in the history of nations is the respect for man’s religious freedom as part of the national compact. That framework was fought for primarily by those with a firm belief in God.
Our founders believed that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights. Our founders expressed boldly and clearly that God was the source of Liberty. They believed with unwavering certainty that the Sovereign God of Devine Providence must not be abandoned nor forgotten. They declared boldly that faithful adherence to the religious principles of virtue and morality were the only sure source of securing the prosperity and continuance of this great nation.
I believe, as Benjamin Franklin did, that the hand of God was evident in the establishment of America, and our founders sought Divine guidance as they laid the foundations for America’s government. In the transcript of the Constitutional Convention June 28, 1787 we find these statements from Mr. Franklin:
“In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the Contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection. – Our prayers, Sir, were heard, & they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending providence in our favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth-that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that “except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it. “ I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without this concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building not better, than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by Human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest.”
“I therefore beg leave to move-that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that Service.”
I agree with John Adams, who stated in an address to Officers of the First Brigade of the Third Division of the Militia of Massachusetts in 1798:
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
I believe, as Adams did, that America’s unique moral character is what would provide security for the future of the nation that the Hand of God had established:
“While our country remains untainted with the principles and manners which are now producing desolation in so many parts of the world; while she continues sincere, and incapable of insidious and impious policy, we shall have the strongest reason to rejoice in the local destination assigned us by Providence”
I believe as Thomas Jefferson did that removing God from the marketplace of government and from the minds of the people would lead directly to the loss of Liberty:
“Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath?”
The beliefs of our founders are made clear in nearly every original State Constitution and Charter where we find the settlers declaring that the state was being settled for the glory of God. This is plainly declared for all to see.
I agree with our first President when he declared in his Farewell address that “religious principle” is the very basis of our government and the only true source of its continued prosperity.
“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens, The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them…And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
“It is substantially true that virtue of morality is a necessary spring of popular government…Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundations of the fabric?”
It is interesting to note here that Washington suggests that those who “subvert” the duties of religion could not be called patriots-that is, that such action would be “un-American.”
I could go on to quote the likes of Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, Richard Henry Lee, John Jay and others. All of whom believed in Divine protection, provision, and providence from the Father of Liberty-the God of Heaven and Earth. They did not shy at any level of government from boldly declaring their beliefs.
It is abundantly clear that our founders believed that America is a gift from God, Liberty is a gift from God- and “to whom much is given, much is required.” We are to be faithful stewards of the gifts God hs given us. In Mathew 25 Jesus teaches the parable of the talents. The immediate context seems to teach a direct application to those that were given the Word of God and were not faithful to it; but, the principle highlighted applies to ANY gift that God has entrusted to man. Two immutable truths are evident in this parable. First, that we are to prosper God’s gift and second, we will be held accountable for what we do (or don’t do) with what God has given us. The unfaithful servant was punished not so much for the loss of God’s gift, but specifically because of inaction. The loss of the gift was the result of his inaction. It is not enough to expect someone else to do your duty. The people of God must be active in prospering, as well as protecting God’s gifts-in America’s case, the gift of Liberty.
So if this is what our founders believed, and this is what God expects of His people, why is it that our pulpits are so quiet when it comes to the issue of Liberty? Why are our pulpits happy to decry the devastating effects of unrighteousness in every crack and crevice of society EXCEPT the “halls of power”
Many pastors firmly assert that Christians, much less preachers, should note speak on matters of politics. Did you hear that God?
You better stay out of politics; You’re not allowed to go there. Of course not all pastors are silent. My husband certainly is not, neither is C.L. Bryant or Dr. Gene Youngblood and others. I thank God for those men of God who take their duty before God seriously, as did the pastors who gave us this nation.
Some of the pastors of our day do not resemble in any way the pastors alive at our founding? What would today’s preachers say if they were to discover that it was a Baptist Pastor who gave us our First Amendment protections of religious Liberty?
When the first settlers came to the continent in the name of religious liberty, they established charter governments (colonies) and state religions for each charter. If you did not belong to that religion you could not legally preach or worship in that state. Since there was no Baptist charter, men like Obadiah Holmes were arrested, fined, imprisoned, and tortured for refusing to take a license to preach.
Several states, most prominently in Virginia, refused to ratify the proposed Constitution, which had now lately made its appearance in public, made sufficient provision for the secure enjoyment of religious liberty; on which it was agreed unanimously that, in the opinion of the General Committee, It did not. “ ~Virginia Baptist General Convention March 7, 1788
Virginia was led in this stand by the Virginia Baptist General Convention. A Baptist Pastor, by the name of John Leland was the head of this group. Virginia wanted Pastor Leland to be the delegate for Virginia in the Constitutional Convention. Pastor Leland did not trust his own ability to be an affective delegate. However, John Leland was a strong advocate for religious liberty. He said,
“Every man must give account of himself to God, and therefore every man ought to be at liberty to serve God in that way that he can best reconcile it to his conscience. If government can answer for individuals at the day of judgment, let men be controlled by it in religious matters; otherwise let them be free.”
John Leland met with Thomas Jefferson and James Madison and struck a deal. He offered James Madison his position as delegate for the state of Virginia as long as Madison promised that he would make sure there were sufficient protections for religious liberty; namely a Bill of Rights. Madison made his promise and held to it, being not only and ardent proponent for religious liberty, but for the entire Bill of Rights. If you are interested in a fairly good account of this agreement, you can find this story in a movie titled, Magnificent Heritage. I also recommend America in Crimson Red by James Beller, if you want to learn about the persecution that gave us our religious Liberty in America.
If these Christians followed the teaching of most of our modern-day pastors, America would look vastly different. We would have no First Amendment, no Bill of rights – in fact we would have no Constitution and therefore no America. I am afraid if our pastors do not reengage in their duty to stand for the gifts of God, we will achieve that very result-there will be no America.
Many pastors believe that the Bible teaches America’s demise and therefore there is nothing they can or should do. My pastor/husband disagrees. Here is an excerpt from his sermon on the topic:
“It is not our place to postulate when or if America will fade from the world scene. It is simply our obligation to be faithful. God has commanded us to stand against unrighteousness and we can’t say that the unrighteousness is the government and is therefore exempt.”
“God is sovereign and He does not acknowledge ‘no trespassing’ signs erected by man. The God of the pew is the God of politics. He expects His people to be the salt of the earth and does not accept man’s restrictions on where that salt is to be distributed. He says go into ALL the world. He declares let your light shine before men. We are to resist the Devil wherever he may be found.”
“The fact is – the fascist system being foisted upon America and the world is the system of Antichrist. To submit, to not resist, is to give allegiance to that system. This battle that we are in is not a battle for America – it is a Kingdom battle. We are on a steady march toward a day when God will present mankind with one final opportunity to choose whom man will serve. It is a choice between two Kingdoms, the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Antichrist.
Only one king will be victorious and we know Who that is. As Joshua said, ‘Choose ye this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord’.”
The Bible is replete with histories of the prophets challenging leaders about unrighteousness in government. If we listen to some preachers, we should conclude that the prophets were outside of the will of God because they trespassed into an area where God is not permitted. On the contrary, it was God that gave them the message in the fist place! These histories are part of the counsel of God. To ignore that and to put false boundaries around areas where truth needs to be spoken is to contradict the full counsel of God, and the consequences that affect God’s people are on the hands of the spiritual leaders. (Acts 20:20-27) We must pray for a further awakening among our pastors.
My husband suggests that if you find that your church is too “cowardly to stand for Liberty and teaches the false doctrine of isolationism in the name of Biblical separation, then you should challenge your pastor to man up or find a new church!
Pray that our pastors are not constrained by fears of offending parishioners or diminishing offerings, but would strive for eternal rewards. Pray that our churches will take up the historic role they have played in the struggle for Liberty for thousands of years. Pray that our pastors and churches will realize that because God gave us Liberty, we must put LIBERTY FIRST!
