Friday, July 03, 2009
Land of the Free?
It’s almost July 4th again. It will be time to light sparklers, barbecue hamburgers and watch fabulous fireworks displays. It is truly an American holiday. Our favorite patriotic songs declare America to be a bastion of freedom. Using lyrics such as “sweet land of liberty and land of the free,” Americans have boasted that their country celebrated the individuals’ God-given “right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Freedom and America have almost become synonymous.
But, historically, there always seems to be someone who wants to take freedom away. This robbery is usually carried out through war or through legislation. So, while governments can be a great protection to their people, they also tend to be the greatest threat to that liberty. That is what was so alarming about a story that surfaced recently in California, causing many citizens to take notice. According to a the San Diego News, “ A local pastor and his wife claim they were interrogated by a San Diego County official, who then threatened them with escalating fines if they continued to hold Bible studies in their home…” (http://www.10news.com/news/19562217/detail.html)
Where have our liberties gone?! Do Americans want so much government control that they are required to get a permit in order to have a birthday party, a Memorial Day cookout, a Tupperware party, or a wedding reception in their own home? Do we want some bureaucrat telling us if we can pray at home, or have some friends over to discuss a political matter? Are we still the land of the free?
In my opinion, America has enjoyed being one of the most prosperous nations in the world because we honored God and the liberties he intends all men to enjoy. To abandon freedom and embrace a system in which the government takes care of everything and, therefore, controls everything will ruin more than a good holiday, it will ruin a great country.
Even casual students of history will quickly recognize that bureaucracy and unjust courts are the trademark of nations who have lost their moorings. As the saying goes, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” If a nation does not stand for justice and liberty, it will soon be nothing more than a group of people who are dominated by a ruling class.
God felt strongly about the need for good morals and true justice. On many occasions He told his people that he would rather that they didn’t even come to church and pretend to be religious if they were not going to live right. Here’s one example of God expressing his opinion on the matter:
"I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! “ (Amos 5:21-24NIV)
A free nation is made up of people... people who must take justice and righteousness into consideration when they vote… people who must pray for their leaders… people who must seek God’s face and turn from wrong behavior. That is what gave America her good start. That is where a nation gets true liberty. It’s almost July 4th again, let’s celebrate it heartily with cookouts, fireworks and lives filled with righteousness and justice.
But, historically, there always seems to be someone who wants to take freedom away. This robbery is usually carried out through war or through legislation. So, while governments can be a great protection to their people, they also tend to be the greatest threat to that liberty. That is what was so alarming about a story that surfaced recently in California, causing many citizens to take notice. According to a the San Diego News, “ A local pastor and his wife claim they were interrogated by a San Diego County official, who then threatened them with escalating fines if they continued to hold Bible studies in their home…” (http://www.10news.com/news/19562217/detail.html)
Where have our liberties gone?! Do Americans want so much government control that they are required to get a permit in order to have a birthday party, a Memorial Day cookout, a Tupperware party, or a wedding reception in their own home? Do we want some bureaucrat telling us if we can pray at home, or have some friends over to discuss a political matter? Are we still the land of the free?
In my opinion, America has enjoyed being one of the most prosperous nations in the world because we honored God and the liberties he intends all men to enjoy. To abandon freedom and embrace a system in which the government takes care of everything and, therefore, controls everything will ruin more than a good holiday, it will ruin a great country.
Even casual students of history will quickly recognize that bureaucracy and unjust courts are the trademark of nations who have lost their moorings. As the saying goes, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” If a nation does not stand for justice and liberty, it will soon be nothing more than a group of people who are dominated by a ruling class.
God felt strongly about the need for good morals and true justice. On many occasions He told his people that he would rather that they didn’t even come to church and pretend to be religious if they were not going to live right. Here’s one example of God expressing his opinion on the matter:
"I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! “ (Amos 5:21-24NIV)
A free nation is made up of people... people who must take justice and righteousness into consideration when they vote… people who must pray for their leaders… people who must seek God’s face and turn from wrong behavior. That is what gave America her good start. That is where a nation gets true liberty. It’s almost July 4th again, let’s celebrate it heartily with cookouts, fireworks and lives filled with righteousness and justice.
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