We’re proud of America’s freedoms. But the freedoms we enjoy are based on certain values and beliefs. To forget that is to do so at our own peril because freedom is fragile. It is easily lost.
John Adams once said, “Our constitution was made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly unsuited to the government of any other.” And since he helped write it, he should know!
Our founding fathers understood the danger of dictators and self-indulgent citizens alike. So they designed a government where privilege is balanced with responsibility. And where faith was foundational to freedom.
But is the Constitution of the United States of America still relevant today?
That’s the very question posed by the cover of the July 4, 2011 issue of Time Magazine. It shows the U.S. Constitution being shredded and it asks: “Does it still matter?”
It does if we cherish our freedoms! Sadly, however, the article’s author doesn’t agree.
But there is a sense in which Time Magazine may be correct. If John Adams was right and if we are no longer a “moral and religious people,” then a logical conclusion would be that the Constitution is “wholly unsuited” to govern modern America!
Why? Because morality, faith and goodness matter when it comes to being a good citizen.
Freedom in America is not the ability to do whatever you want without constraints. A good citizen is one who exercises his or her choices with wisdom and respect for the law.
Years ago schools used to give awards to students who showed “Good Citizenship.” To receive such an award was a real honor. But today? Not so much.
Today it’s “cool” to be “bad.” To ignore the rules. So doing what you want and getting away with it is one of the ultimate highs. It’s an exhilarating “rush.”
A student’s T-shirt I saw some time ago summed up such an attitude. It said, “It’s not illegal if you don’t get caught.”
Now hold on for just a minute!
Would you want to live in a country with that motto? I wouldn’t. Who could you trust? No one. And unless you were the biggest, strongest, fastest and smartest, you wouldn’t be safe.
Today America is on the verge of trading liberty for a license to be free without limits. The courts seem to find new rights every day that our founding fathers never dreamed of.
As personal freedoms trump the law, we descend into a hell of our own making.
What’s the solution? The French historian and political scientist Alexis de Tocqueville observed, “Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.”
The Bible has the only answer that always works. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”
Did you catch that? Obedience to Christ brings true freedom—from sin and punishment.
The same is true for citizens. When we obey our nation’s laws and follow them, there’s no reason to fear. The key to an open and free society is self-restraint based on Biblical morality.
Living a God-centered life leads to a life of serving others. And instead of living in fear we’re at peace with God and men. A free society works only when citizens practice moral goodness.
Never forget freedom is fragile! To protect it we must be a “moral and religious people.”
Real freedom starts with the truth. Not just any truth but the truth about Jesus Christ. And the truth of Christ is that the immoral can find forgiveness in his name. And true liberty.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
1 comment:
Great work of writing, ethics and relation. Hemingway wrote of having a moral code of conduct. He made up his own along the way. It was good when he was young; but fame and booze and opportunity disolved that code. We are tough times; but no one has ever gone wrong living their life via biblical values.
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