GODLY GOVERNANCE
Forward:
For those who have recently found my SubStack, you may not quite understand the reason behind this particular series of articles, “Godly Governance,” or this resulting book.
The main reason will likely be evident to most, I hope to please God and my Lord Jesus by obedience to God’s Word. I also believe that the defense and restoration of liberty are fundamental to national patriotism, and a feature of such obedience.
The thing that spurred this particular series of articles is the realization of how few of our American youth have any understanding of their inherited patriotic duty, or even a willingness to pursue it. They are often content to use their youthful intelligence, vitality, perseverance, and commitment for far less important endeavors.
This observation certainly does not refer to all American youth, but it does describe the vast majority of those that I observe, (and often,) especially those brought up in Christian homes.
I am not criticizing them for their curiosity, and passion to expand their understanding, entertaining themselves, and pushing their boundaries. This is all part of the maturation process, but have the parents of the youth of this rising generation faithfully prepared their progeny to accept, and fulfill their rights, and requirements in a world under siege by the enemy of our Lord, the father of lies, and master of deception?
My hope is that this book, “Godly Governance,” will find its way to young parents, and their maturing youth to point them in a direction that will please the Lord, and benefit themselves, (and their children,) by restoring the greatest governmental experiment ever known to mankind.
If you agree with my goals and are not young, please introduce young people to this book. If you are young, and either have children or intend to have them in the future, please introduce other young people to this series.
“Duty is ours, results are God’s” John Quincy Adams
God bless you, Dave
Preface:
This series of articles was based on my recognization that our younger generations of Americans have not been taught to revere America, they have not been taught to believe that their effort is needed to preserve the liberty guaranteed in our Constitution, including the Bill of Rights.
Many believe that their liberty is somehow guaranteed, at no cost to them, and without their own involvement.
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” Ronald Reagan
Several generations of Americans have forsaken their duty to pass the importance and requirements of preserving liberty to their children. This series will address the importance of a biblical understanding, constitutional knowledge, and political activism.
If you are a young American, and want to continue to enjoy the blessings of life as an American, you have a part to play in preserving this great nation.
We will embark on a journey through the biblical vision of human governance, the reason for the Bill of Rights, the importance, and authority of the US Constitution, and our own related personal duties.
______________________________________________________________________*
Part I
God and Government
1) What is God’s idea for the governance of Man?
There are many that believe God is not involved, or should not be involved in human government. Many Christians believe that political activism is not something that God expects us to encumber ourselves with, but does that align with examples in scripture?
In the book of Judges, chapter eight, and verse 23, Gideon says to Israel, “I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: Jehovah will rule over you.”
This appears to refute the view that God is unwilling to be involved with the government of men.
We should also consider the context of this statement. Was this not after God’s deliverance of the children of Israel from the armies of Midian, through the leadership of Gideon?
In this chapter, we see that God was indeed involved in the government of men, and He also encouraged Gideon to be somewhat involved.
After God wrought deliverance for Israel, they sought to be ruled by their perceived deliverer, Gideon. This is not a rare occurrence among humans, it is more the norm.
People often seek the rulership of men, as they place their hope in men, hoping to benefit from their good graces, and the provision of men whom they perceive have gained victories, and conquests on their behalf. These men are then lauded as candidates, and chosen to be rulers, but is this God’s primary will for the government of his people?
No, the latter part of this verse verifies the will of the Lord, “Jehovah will rule over you.”
Though this is human nature, our best choice is to humble this nature by conforming it to the will of God. Otherwise, sin will rule in our lives. It is the natural state of humans to want, and to have those wants supplied by others. Every human that has ever lived, (except Jesus,) is a sinner. That sinful nature is to be resisted, with a reliance upon a loving Father, and the saving work of his obedient, and gracious son, Jesus Christ.
An important job of parents is to train their children to resist evil, while pursuing righteousness. As it is written in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
This leads to important questions, how are we to be ruled by God? Just how do we know His will, how does God communicate His judgments to us, and how does He execute His enforcements among men?
It should be noted that God gave the Ten Commandments to the nation of Israel while Moses was leading them from Egypt, and to the promised land. Those commandments have been preserved through endless generations, and are the foundational laws of God. These laws were given to Israel for the purpose of their government.
Later, these ten laws were greatly expanded upon. This expansion was not in order to establish a heavier burden but for guidance in the obedience of the original ten. When people search for loopholes, and "fine print” that can be exploited, it is for selfish reasons. The spirit of the law is thereby destroyed, and we are left to our rebellion, and the just rewards of that rebellion. The hundreds of additional commandments given to Moses were meant to aid in the clarification and fulfillment of the law.
In much the same way that the Ten Commandments needed clarification to insure against the corruption of the Israelites, our laws are often challenged for the express purpose of violating those laws.
This example of God’s righteous governance of His people through His laws, and the appointment of humans authorized to judge, and enforce those laws, serves as an example to us.
The goal of the framers of our Constitution was to imitate this model and supply a firm foundation for the godly governance of a righteous people. John Adams was known to have said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
In other words, it is up to our citizens to self-govern, and where they fall short, laws are to serve as a guideline for their enforcement.
I believe that it is most obvious that just as the Ten Commandments, (and subsequent reinforcing directives,) were given to Israel for a foundation, and a framework to aid them in righteous living, (or self-government,) our constitution is likewise, “The law of the land,” here in the USA.
The US Constitution was constructed for much the same reason, acknowledging the commandments of God as the basic foundation of righteousness, and setting a framework for humans to execute righteous government of a nation of sinners, by sinners.
This has been called, “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
I believe that this is where Romans, chapter thirteen comes in.
———————————————————————————————————-
Rom 13: 1-14, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due ; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
————————————————————————————————————
Some believe that this passage enables elected, and appointed politicians to rule as they wish, bending, and perverting our laws to their will, for their own benefit, and the benefit of those of their choosing.
Is this “righteous rulership?” Can it be the will of God that His people, the recipients of His grace, and mercy, are to choose to submit to corrupt men that have corrupted the laws of our nation by their corrupt actions?
“Woe unto them who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20
In verse 7, of Romans thirteen, we read, “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due ; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”
Are we to believe that deceitful people, who have muscled their way, or charmed their way to power, are considered worthy of tribute, or honor?
As we read the Bible, we notice that God is always able to judge righteously, in all situations. Sometimes we can easily recognize the righteousness in His judgment, as it is swiftly executed. Other times, we struggle to see His reasoning, but in time, God’s will is revealed, and His righteous judgment will be fulfilled.
Our nation was founded by people who ran after righteousness in order to provide for the personal rulership of the Lord Jesus Christ in the life of every American. Our Declaration of Independence was drafted to establish, and proclaim this purpose. The signatories rejected the unrighteous rulership of King George, proclaiming allegiance to the rulership of the true ruler, God Almighty, and independence from England’s reign, or more generally, the rulership of men.
Were these men heroes, and patriots, or were they unrighteous rebels?
———————————————————————————————————
Declaration of Independence
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
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, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
———————————————————————————————————
These are the principles upon which our nation was founded. You should notice that this was not written to impress the delegates’ neighbors, their friends, or even their opponents. It was to inform the king, and all loyal to him and his reign, that these offenses and the resulting tyranny would no longer be tolerated by a God-fearing American public. They were saying, as Gandalf said in the Lord Of The Rings, “Here, and no further.”
Is it rebellious to demand liberty for ourselves, our progeny, and civil society, or is it righteous, and for us to choose?
In the Canadian band, “RUSH’s” hit song, “Free Will,” we see it stated, “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.”
My goal is to empower and inspire as many of my neighbors as possible to choose liberty.
_______________________________________________________________________*
2) Where can we learn God’s idea for the governance of Man?
If as Christians, we believe that we are to obey the laws of our government, simply because the Bible says, “there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God,” Rom 13:1, I have questions.
In Ezra 2:1, (one of many passages that speaks of Israel while under the captivity of King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon.) We see that Israel had been conquered by Nebuchadnezzar, and were in captivity. This had occurred as just reward for Israel’s rebellion against the righteous judgment of God and had previously been prophesied.
As a result of these realities, the king had utter rulership over the nation of Israel, and its citizens by the ordinance of God. In Daniel 1:3-4 we learn that certain Israelite youths had been brought into the care of Ashkenazi, the chief of the eunuchs for training in service to the king.
So let us recap the situation so far
Those in positions of authority were put there by God, and for His purposes. Namely, King Nebuchadnezzar.
Those under that authority are to subject themselves to that authority, meaning that all of Israel, including the youths in training are under the authority of King Nebuchadnezzar, and subsequently, all of those he had authorized.
Therefore, aren’t we to believe that these youths are bound to obey the dictates of King Nebuchadnezzar?
In Daniel chapter 3 we learn about three of these youths under the authority of King Nebuchadnezzar, and his laws. They were instructed by these laws to bow down to a golden image every time they heard the band play, yet they strictly refused. This law was a specific command, from the very highest earthly authority in the land, yet they refused.
Does scripture chastise them for non-compliance or direct disobedience?
Were these young Israelites rebels? Were they resisting the commandment of the Lord by refusing to obey the laws of the land in which they dwelt, or were they resisting ungodly commands of a godless king, in obedience to their Lord?
I believe that scripture bears out that they were in the center of God’s will as they firmly stated, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” Daniel 3:17-18
Likewise, in Daniel chapter six we learn,
“Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.” Daniel 6:11-13
So what have we learned here? Was not Daniel supposed to stop praying to God, since the king, the ultimate authority in the kingdom had commanded that he cease?
I am sure that you see my point. Romans, chapter 13 does not require that the orders, or commandments of tyrants are obeyed, it speaks of righteous laws, issued by righteous rulers.
In a more recent example, during WW II, Adolf Hitler commanded many injurious laws concerning Jews. It was also illegal for non-Jews to assist Jews in avoiding imprisonment, torture, and execution. Penalties for those who assisted Jews were as severe as those inflicted on Jews, yet we consider the families of Anne Frank, and Corrie ten Boom heroes.
Why would we consider them heroes if they were commanded by God to obey these laws, yet they chose to directly disobey them?
I believe that the answer is self-evident. We are to obey righteous laws. Laws that do not require unrighteous acts, and God has enabled us to know the difference. Who was it that taught the Frank family, and the Ten Boom family the difference between righteous, and unrighteous laws? Was it, not the Holy Spirit?
Well, what makes it so hard for American Christians to differentiate between righteous, and unrighteous laws? I don’t think it is hard. What is hard is having the resolve to do the right thing, regardless of the consequences, like burning fiery fitnesses, and lion’s dens.
We do not yet face such dire consequences as these for resisting the unrighteous laws that we face, but if we don’t resist them now, those dire consequences may be in the not too distant future.
The answer to my opening question, “Where can we learn God’s idea for the governance of Man?” is possibly in the Bible, with the help of the Comforter, or the Holy Spirit.
We must have faith and courage. God is our sufficiency and our strong tower. He gives wisdom if we ask for it. Once we know the wise answer to our questions, no one else can make the right choice for us.
__________________________________________________________________________*
3) Who’s idea was it that there should be laws to govern men?
I believe that in the first episode of this study we determined that righteous laws, and thereby righteous governance began with God, and was officially transferred to men on Mount Sinai by way of Moses.
As a result of the sin of Adam, and mankind’s banishment from the presence of God, darkness reigned in the hearts of men for generations. Though chaos, and despotism were rampant, the Bible indicates that there remained a remnant of humans that were drawn to obey the Lord. Godly direction came to them by direct revelation from God, as illustrated in I Samuel, chapter three, God spoke to his prophets, and they communicated that revelation to their nation.
Noah is called faithful by God, and built an arc at His direction. There were no blueprints, or prototypes for such a contraption. There had never been a need for one, yet God instructed Noah not only to build it, but how to build it. By Noah’s obedience, and effort, he facilitated the preservation of humankind, at the expressed word of God.
Having the origin of the law established, we need to determine what is the role of the common man, (women included,) in submission to our law. Is it enough that laws exists in some official place, or on some ledger? How authoritative are the laws of men, if they violate the laws given by our creator?
“He also told them this parable: ‘Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?’” Luke 6:39
If we forsake the root of righteousness, we have little hope but to end up in the, “pit.”
“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.
Do not go about spreading slander among your people. ‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.’
Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt.
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord .” Leviticus 19:15-18
Today we are witnessing the continual perversion of law. Americans who don’t respect our laws often intentionally thwart them. Often the law-abiding are reluctant to pass judgement upon those who are perverting, and violating laws in their pursuit of personal gain. The godless, shamelessly accuse anyone who attempts to point out their perverse debauchery, and lawlessness of violating “our norms and traditions.”
Many have chosen to pursue positions in the hierarchy of government where they are able to initiate the persecution of righteous people, and establish loopholes in laws and regulations which enable their exploitation.
Are we wise to ignore this? Are we wise to allow ourselves to be persuaded to disdain those, who are actually abiding by, and defending both the letter, and spirit of law? Is it patriotic, or even righteous to withold righteous judgment?
Don’t God’s laws have greater authority than those enacted by our government? Is this not even more relevant when the laws, and regulations of our nation , have not even been introduced in a constitutional way?
There were specific goals intended through the construction of our constitution. Liberty, and freedom of beliefs, (religious, and otherwise,) was to be protected for every American, through the most masterful governing system ever devised. The only limiting factor is the fallibility of humankind.
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other,” John Adams.
Some have said that we are living in a post-constitutional America. Others insist that America is not governed by laws, and never was. America is governed by political will, and it always will be.
The fact that our laws, and the constitution itself can be used as a club against some Americans, while others can blatantly violate Both the spirit, and letter of our laws, in plain view of our citizens, without consequence would seem to support these theories. But, are we destined to accept that the purpose of our Declaration of Independence, and US Constitution were simply the exercise of political will? Were the actual words, and structure of these documents born out of the hubris, and egos of influential men of the time, or did they mean what they proposed, debated, ratified, and delivered as the will of the American society?
Many, if not most of the “laws” enforced upon American citizens today were not produced according the the constitutional process. Can we imagine why the authors of these societal guidelines have chosen not to follow the proper process, or the American method for “making law?”
Could it be that the intentions of modern politicians have not been to produce righteous laws, or a righteous society, rather to facilitate society’s exploitation? Where this is the case, are faithful Christians, and patriotic Americans required to submit to these “laws?” Should we consider them righteous, or should we condemn them for what they are?
What is it that authorizes those with the intentions to overthrow the righteous intentions of our founders by the furtherance of unconstitutional governance?
Can the intended purpose of our founding documents be restored, or are we destined to continue on the destructive path that previous generations of political whores have brought us to?
Do the citizens of the USA desire to submit to the will of our God? Do we desire to believe that our forefathers, and the framers of our constitution were intent upon submission to the Laws of God? Do we believe that adherence to our founding documents should restore godly governance to America? If so, what can hinder the restoration of our nation?
Is it possible that the political will of the American people could become the desire for the restoration of the rule of law? Could Americans decide to follow the US Constitution, throw out unconstitutional political “norms, and traditions,” replacing them with the text of our founding documents?
I believe that this is possible, but it will never happen if Americans through up their hands in despair, looking no further than to the despotic tyranny of their generation, and recent generations of tyrannical despots.
We must regain the reigns of political power by assuming our proper constitutional role in our government. The single greatest tool in our political toolbox is the federal amendment process just might be, Article V, Convention of States.
_______________________________________________________________________*
4) Equal justice under the law?
Have we not already established that laws are God’s idea? I believe we have also established that our laws were not meant to supersede God’s laws, but to support them, adding clarity, and distinction where needed to adjust to the needs of our civil society?
With that established, what are we to think when certain people, who clearly, and publicly have violated our laws in egregious ways, yet are treated as exempt from the penalties of those actions?
If this was not perplexing enough, other Americans, who have clearly not committed offenses, yet because of their beliefs, and/or their political associations, are deemed to be “domestic terrorists,” and are persecuted, and prosecuted, not only to the fullest extent of the law, but with even greater intensity, and prejudice?
To what am I referring, (you might ask?) The list of people that have escaped the penalties, and consequences dictated by our laws is long, and public.
Hilary Clinton has been publicly proven to have presided over a presidential campaign that conspired with foreign agents to fabricate dishonest accusations against her opponent, yet has never been held to account.
She also, while “serving” as the United States’ Secretary of State, failed to follow requirements to secure her communications through the proper means. She was never held accountable for this.
When subpoenaed to produce her communications, she, and her subordinates not only refused to produce them, many of the devices in which these communications were housed, were physically destroyed, with full knowledge, and permission by law enforcement. Neither she, nor any of her cohorts were ever prosecuted for these offenses.
FBI lawyer, Kevin Clinesmith, has been proven to have falsified documents, and presented them to the FISA court, in order to entrap Carter Page, (a member of the Trump campaign.) He was prosecuted, and pled guilty in Washington DC, but received no incarceration. He is not only not in prison, he is free to practice law.
Andrew Weissmann was a former Robert Mueller prosecutor, dedicated to the prosecution of President Trump, and members of his administration, yet his relationship with truth, and his vindictive attitude of destroying others to his own benefit has been long established.
For nearly all of 2020, Antifa. And BLM seised, and destroyed communities, (renaming one as CHAS, or CHOP,) denied police entry, and devastated these properties. Terrorist activities went unchallenged in many communities. Police were assaulted, their lives, and vehicles threatened, their funding reduced, yet few, if any of these domestic terrorists ever faced serious prosecution.
Hundreds of US Capital visitors on Jan. 6, 2021 are languishing in prison for many months, many without having even been charged with a serious crime. The only violent assault victim at the capital was an unarmed Trump supporter, (Ashley Babbitt.) She was murdered by a Capital Policeman, who rather than being prosecuted, was commended.
Supreme Court Justices have had their homes, and neighborhoods threatened, in direct violation of felony laws, without accountability.
The FBI has treated President Trump’s attorneys as criminals, dispatching SWAT teams to arrest them for breaking imaginary laws, without consequence.
Pro-life Pastors, and volunteers have also received the SWAT team treatment for peacefully protesting abortions, defending their children, and ministering to scared young mothers.
The inequality of the law, (as administered,) is palpable. The victims of these offenses are political prisoners. Their civil rights have been trampled by vicious, and vindictive tyrannical forces, that were commissioned to protect, and defend them, while so many of the allies of these tyrannical forces are immune to accountability to the law.
Our civil society cannot survive this double standard, or unequal justice. If we forgive these offenses, they will not decrease, rather they will become more, and more numerous, and egregious.
We the people should hold these tyrants accountable, and without mercy. An eye for an eye should be the operating standard for the members of our perverted justice system.
Sanity, and civility must be restored. This is not a time for cowards, this is a time for believers. As when Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, his trust remained in the Lord. (Genesis ch. 37)
When the wife of his master framed him for adultery, his trust remained in the Lord. When Pharaoh’s cup-bearer forgot to tell of Joseph’s service to the cup-bearer, his trust remained in the Lord. (Genesis ch. 39)
There were challenges, and hardships for him yet to endure, but his trust in the Lord remained.
Likewise, we are to, and will endure the challenges, and hardships of our times, but that does not relieve us of our duties. It does not make us immune to responsibility, it illustrates that we are to be faithful in the callings of our Lord, “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14.
We may be living in the most exciting time in American history, if we will remain faithful. God will not be mocked. “For who [are these] uncircumcised Philistine[s], that [they] should defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 17:26
___________________________________________________________________________*
5) What is the 1st law, (the 1st, and greatest commandment?)
People differ on what things are most important. Being born with rational minds, capable of deductive reasoning, we often come to different conclusions about 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 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, also known as the Ten Commandments. The ten commandments 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 guide their execution.
What is it that must 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 that 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 personal 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?
In the original draft of the Declaration of Independence, it read, “life, liberty, and property.” Many of the signers feared empowering slavery with the use of “property.”
The proponents of slavery believed that their right to slaves as their own property should be protected, whereas the opponents of slavery sought to protect humans from being considered property at all, thus “the pursuit of happiness” was substituted.
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, would be calamitous. Therefore, these responsibilities were given to three separate bodies, or “branches,” known as the “separation of powers.”
Each person who 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 just 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 are 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 to preserve our own security, and our autonomy to be protected?
I would suggest that by securing the rights of every individual, love for our neighbors is exemplified, and 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 constitutional governance.
______________________________________________________________________*
6) What is the 2nd law, (the 2nd greatest commandment?)
What is the second greatest commandment of God? Jesus gave us a very direct answer to this question
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?
And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
This is the great and first commandment.
And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” '
Matthew 22:36-40
We shall “love our neighbor as ourselves.”
How exactly are we to do this?
Should we allow our neighbor to be defrauded?
Should we support powerful people’s selfish agendas against their opponents?
Should we turn our attention away when the “authorities” execute vendettas against their opponents, whether we like them, or not?
Should we ignore the fact that many of the “laws of our land,” were not constitutionally made into law, and often allow for the unconstitutional theft of our neighbor’s wealth, condemnation, or imprisonment?
I believe that the answer to these questions is a resounding no. I have come to recognize the complete relatability of Isiah 5:20 to the America of today. Our elected officials have been defrauding our citizens, and allowing the theft of their wealth, that they have earned by their physical, and intellectual labor, for the last one hundred years plus.
“Woe unto them who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”— Isaiah 5:20
The wealth stolen from the American people has been further perverted by its use in plots against the very people from which it was stolen. This is where we have gotten programs like Welfare, Social Security, Medicare, and many other, “social services,” used to bribe producers, and non-producers alike for their votes, further exploiting the producers. This is where the hundreds of billions of dollars to fund “endless wars” has been harvested.
As I have previously stated, before the Federal Reserve was empowered to separate America’s currency from the gold standard set forth by Article 1, section 8, and 10, one ounce of gold equaled $20. There were no mitigating circumstances to amend this relationship. One ounce of gold had an inherent value, and $20 was simply the currency representation of that value via the American dollar.
According to GoldPrice.org, the current “price of one ounce of gold,” as of this writing is $1,795.35.
https://goldprice.org/gold-price.html
$1,795.35, divided by $20, is 89.7675. This means that each, and every dollar in circulation has been devalued to more than 1/89th of its original value. Do you find this fact encouraging, or confidence-inspiring? Do you realize that this means that for every dollar we earn, our government spends nearly 89?
Article I, section 8 requires that only Congress is authorized to, “To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures.”
Article I, section 10 states, “No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts…”
I know, some of you may be brilliant mathematicians, and will likely point out that this inflation did not occur overnight. It was introduced, then gradually increased to this degree, but here I am only speaking of the devaluation of our currency. This does not include the taxation itself. These two factors enable our government to spend many times more of the wealth created by American citizens than they would be able to spend without the deception of inflation.
My purpose at this time is not to flesh out all the issues of inflation, rather I’ve chosen to use inflation to exemplify one of the many problems that result from not loving our neighbors as ourselves. How can we effectively “love” our neighbor if we assist others in the plunder of their resources?
I may address inflation in greater detail later in this series, but you can read more on my SubStack titled “INFLATION.”
The topic at hand is our commitment to equal justice under the law. Unless our conscience has been seared, our human nature tells us that some things should be lawful, while others should not. The elements of our constitution reinforce the need for righteous laws, and its framers followed the premises of our Declaration of Independence as it endeavored to set a framework to produce righteous laws.
John Adams once said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
Thus, all laws should follow a moral, and religious pattern, which should encourage and enable love for our neighbors.
Most of us were taught the “golden rule.”
“Do unto others as we would have them do unto us.” As we can see, we all would like to be treated justly by others, and should likewise return the favor. Our laws should reflect this premise, not favor one over the other, allowing for the plunder of the less fortunate, or less intelligent.
The fundamental purpose of our constitution is to ensure that our laws are just for all Americans, that the enforcement of our laws is just, and that disputes over the violation of those just laws are adjudicated justly. This is how our forefathers and the framers of our Constitution sought to love their neighbors and their prodigy.
______________________________________________________________________*
7) Who’s idea was the death penalty?
Many Americans seem confused about the death penalty. Some Christians question the compassion of ending a life for any offense, even the most heinous, while many atheists compound the confusion with their “logic.” It is argued by many that it is insensitive to end the life of another human being for any reason.
While we contemplate the massive love and compassion of our redeemer, (as he accepted the penalty for our offenses, death,) it may seem callous to exact such a final penalty on another human being.
Many fail to notice the conflict between those who would advocate for abolishing the death penalty, while simultaneously advocating for abortion.
Some ask that if those who oppose abortion are so concerned about life, why wouldn’t they be likewise concerned about the lives of those on death row?
This logic fails to recognize the fact that those in the womb have not yet committed offenses of any kind. They are the second most innocent humans ever. Only Jesus is more innocent, having never committed a single sin, in spite of experiencing the same temptations as every human outside the womb.
Let us not forget that many who oppose abortion indeed also oppose the death penalty.
That being said, regardless of how we might compare the righteousness of the unborn to those on death row, there is still the matter of whose idea it was to put certain criminals to death. Can you guess who that might be? There is a record of who is the author of the death penalty.
Was it a king? Was it a religious leader? Who might it have been?
It was God, the creator, the one who not only created the earth, the sun, the moon, and the stars but every living creature. You might remember that when Jesus offered payment for our sins, he paid that debt with his life. He was not only executed, but it was by the most horrific means imaginable.
This was not the first time death was meted out as payment for offenses.
For those who have trouble understanding why people that believe in the death penalty for egregious, and heinous crimes, also believe in protecting the unborn, it must be stated that the “crime” of inconvenient, or even violent conception, is never mentioned in scripture as a reason for the death penalty.
The Bible contains many instances of God’s judgment calling for capital punishment. Here is a small sample;
“He that smites a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.” Exodus 21:12
“And he that curses his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.” Exodus 21:17
“Whosoever lie with a beast shall surely be put to death.” Exodus 22:19
“The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meet him, he shall slay him.” Numbers 35:19
“The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.” Deuteronomy 24:16
“But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.” 2 Kings 14:6
If we believe, and trust the Word of God, this should be clarification enough, if we do not, we have bigger problems.
Salvation is paramount to our very eternal existence. There is no more important matter, for it is eternal. The end of our lives on Earth, and its circumstances, are of far less importance. God’s judgment is permanent. This is why the death penalty was continued within the United States of America from its inception. Efforts to remove it are from some other source. It is up to each American to determine how we respond to the judgment of God, but our creator’s judgment is clear.
As the sovereign of our nation, our citizenry will determine whether we align with the Bible, or not, and our nation will either suffer or prosper as a result. It will receive God’s blessing or a curse.
For those that are reluctant to accept the Bible’s relevance, Romans 10:13-17 speaks loudly.
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
and how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
If we believe in the authority and supremacy of scripture, we should accept the righteousness of the death penalty, in appropriate circumstances.
In the case of states where the majority doesn’t accept it, that is the beauty of federalism. We can all live in states where our beliefs are reflected in law. and godly principles will determine how well they prosper.
_____________________________________________________________________________*