People differ on what things are most important. Being born with rational minds, capable of deductive reasoning, we often come to different conclusions of matters. What “the law” is may be understood differently by different people.
Some of these differences are attributable to our motives, and others to circumstances, and still others, to instruction. All of these motivations are legitimate, though they are also corruptible.
There is a parable recorded in the Bible where the significance of foundations is taught. Most of us have also heard, or read of illustrations based on this parable, and have come to various conclusions, and philosophies based on them.
Let me hypothesize that the most important foundational truth concerning “law,” is God’s law. This is also known as “the word of God,” “the Gospel,” or the Bible. If we think of it in terms of an outline, the Bible is our starting point.
Under the Bible, we find the Mosaic Law, or the Ten Commandments. Within the ten commandments, they are listed in the order of God’s priority.
In the words of Jesus, we read,
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.”
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
There can be no more important laws than those given to us by our Lord. All other laws must comply with, and reinforce them.
Our Declaration of Independence reflects upon how, and why government is to govern.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”
The purpose of government is to support the two greater commandments, as given to us in Matthew.
Our Constitution then was created to give structure to the protection of these motives, and their guide their execution.
What is to be protected by our constitution, in order to facilitate the purposes of our Declaration of Independence, as necessitated by the two greater commandments?
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
What is life? Is it not the God given gift which animates every living being within God’s creation? Is it the ability to think, the ability to act, or the ability to exert will?
These, and other features are all part of life, but I don’t believe any human is capable of fully understanding exactly what life is, though we all experience it, and likely take it for granted.
What is liberty? Is it not the ability to choose? To determine our priorities, opinions, and desires?
What is meant by, “pursuit of happiness?” Is it not that we should be free to act upon our own desires, to execute according to our choices, in pursuit of outcomes that we find to be virtuous, and righteous?
Some of the ten commandments deal directly with guiding the integrity, and virtue of our choices. Thou shall not kill, thou shall not covet, thou shall not murder, etc.
This brings us to “godly governance.” The framers of our constitution, with respect to the government of God, and the directives outlined in the Declaration of Independence, set the parameters upon which these objectives might be achieved.
Each article deals with a single primary feature of government, setting specific requirements as to how these objectives might be achieved.
It was determined that to have the making of laws, the execution of these laws, and their adjudication, the responsibility, and authority of one body, to be calamitous. Therefore, these responsibilities were given to three separate bodies, or “branches.”
Each person which chooses to serve in any governmental office is required to pledge an oath of office. This oath stipulates a willingness, and a commitment to faithfully execute their office, and to the best of their ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Why is this important, and how important is it? I believe that it is of utmost importance because it guards the ability of our government to accomplish the requirements of our God, and the objectives of our founders. The personhood, and interests of individuals is the goal of God, and also our founders. Is this our desire?
If we are not concerned with the security, and autonomy of individuals, how can we expect our own security, and autonomy to be protected?
I would suggest that by securing the rights of every individual, love for our neighbors is exemplified. By actively loving our neighbors, we are loving our God.
“If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?”
“And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.”
I John 4:20-21
This being said, all federal laws that have not been passed by an agreement between the House of Representatives, and the Senate, then ratified by the President, are unrighteous, as they are either unconstitutional, or anti-constitutional.
Unconstitutional simply means that the process of its creation is not in accordance with the constitution’s purposes. Anti-constitutional means that the law is intended to undermine the aim of the constitution’s authors.
It is the duty of Americans to begin requiring our laws to comply with this standard.
How can ordinary Americans accomplish this objective? We must begin by bringing our local, and state politicians into compliance.
There is an organization dedicated to this very task. It is called Convention of States Action.
Please see if there is something you can do to help restore our constitutional governance.
God bless you, Dave