Christianity and Politics in the United States of America – Part 1
We are living in exciting and volatile times of change and transition. We are in the end of the End Times. We are living in the time of the end that the saints of old were looking toward. And a large part of the change and transition is political. We as believers, as the Church, have a very pivotal role in the political scene.
You may say to yourself, “The Church does not belong in and should not be involved in politics. Politics are ugly, spiteful, nasty, filled with people who are only interested in greed, power and money.” I don’t believe that everyone in politics is inherently crooked, but I will agree that, in many instances, the political realm can be a mirror of the worst of the human character. Why? Because the Church, the Light of this World, removed itself from the workings of our government and the empty place was filled by darkness. It is in darkness where every evil work is devised and implemented. And it is time for the Church, the Light of the World, to once again take our dominion in the realm of government as was intended by our founding fathers and the documents they authored based upon the Word of God.
Everyone is not called to run for office or work in some capacity in government. However, EVERY Christian has the responsibility to VOTE. And not just vote, but to vote our faith, the Word of God. Many say we should vote our conscience. However, our conscience is only an accurate guide if the Word of God resides within us. We, as Christians, must be passionate about our country and our responsibility to protect that which has been given to us by God Almighty. So, what has been given to us?
WHY AMERICA IS EXCEPTIONAL
The United States of America is an exceptional country. Of the 195 countries in the world today, we are the most stable. The stability of America has lasted for 244 years. No other country has had the stability, the creativity, the freedom or the prosperity that we have experienced since the founding of America. Our exceptionalism is a result of the institutions and policies produced by a unique governing philosophy. The philosophy of America is stated in the Declaration of Independence and based on five principles.
FIVE PRINCIPLES OF AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM
- All men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator…. We are the only gentile nation that has ever acknowledged there is a Divine Creator. This is the first step to having a limited government (meaning government is not involved in everything.) Government is not God and secular countries say government is God. George Washington said that it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor. In Washington’s day, “duty” was defined as a legally binding obligation, not a suggestion. (And, yes, the definition has officially changed since Washington was President.)
- Endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights… Inalienable rights come from God and limits the government. It (the government) cannot touch anything that belongs to God. Inalienable rights are given by God and were given before any earthly government was created. Government did not give them and cannot take them away. Some of the inalienable rights listed in the Declaration of Independence are right to life, liberty, and to property. The government cannot regulate these. Other rights listed are the worship of God according to our conscience, self-defense, the sanctity of the home, the right to justice, and the right to private property.
- Government exists to protect these inalienable rights.James Wilson, one of the first justices on the Supreme Court, stated “that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men. The principle of government was to acquire a new security for the possession of those rights which we were previously entitled by the immediate gift of our all-wise and all beneficent Creator.”
The right to life is one of these inalienable rights. Ecclesiastes 1:9 says there is nothing new under the sun. Abortion has been around since the beginning of time. The only thing that has changed over the years is the procedure and technology used in an abortion. In the Old Testament, God specifically states the life of an unborn child is not to be taken. James Wilson said, “With consistency, beautiful and undeviating, human life – from its commencement to its close – is protected by the common law. In the contemplations of law, life begins when the infant is first able to stir in the womb. By the law, life is protected.”
- There is a fixed moral law. The laws of nature and of nature’s God. God has revealed Himself in two ways. Romans 1:20 says everything that can be known about God including the intricacies of the Godhead are revealed in the creation so that no one has an excuse for not knowing God. The laws of nature and nature’s God do not contradict. The right of self-defense, property, association, accumulation and profit are all found in nature. Slavery, abortion, homosexuality as a lifestyle, and transgenderism are not found in nature. If we were to spend some time studying nature, we would see the laws of nature and nature’s God in action.
- The consent of the governed. The fundamental principle of our Constitution…enjoins, requires that the will of the majority shall prevail.
BUT, notice that the will of the majority is dead last in these five principles. The will of the majority had nothing to do with rights or morals. The will of the majority applies to civil government, i.e. where to put a stoplight, build a building, etc. A secular government cannot be a limited government. The God factor is what makes America different and is what we need to protect. Our rights are only protected when we remember that our rights come from God.