As I observe, and reflect on all the 4th of July posts, it seems the “go to” quote is that our Creator guarantees Americans life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I suppose our constitutional framers may have been trying to guarantee this, but unless we get away from the commonly accepted definitions of these terms, don’t assign this guarantee to God.
Defining “life” as this earthly existence , we see that God does not guarantee that. In fact in Scripture, and church history, we see many followers of Jesus going to an “Early” death because of their faith. The book of Revelation indicates God sees these “early” deaths from martyrs as a badge of honor.
Liberty, in the earthly sense, is certainly not guaranteed by God. Again Scripture, church history, and current situations in many countries for believers, would say we may very well lose our liberty for advancing the glorious mission. Ask Chinese believers if God guarantees their earthly freedom.
The pursuit of happiness, in the earthly sense, is also not guaranteed by God. He knows this sinful, fallen world will bring us heartache after heartache. Jesus Himself said in this world you WILL have tribulation. Paul told Timothy that ALL those who desire to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. The way that plays out practically is many believers , way more mature than this writer, lose life, liberty , and earthly happiness to make disciples of King Jesus.
The realization that God doesn’t guarantee life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness on this earth should make us thankful that America has afforded some measure of these things to us, all under God’s providential care. However we must be careful that these comforts don’t find us relaxing with a cruise liner mentality, instead of a missional battleship mindset. We should also keep focused on the person and work of Christ, who does guarantee His true followers eternal life, freedom and liberty in Christ, and finally, The Holy Spirit gives us true joy as part of the fruit of the Spirit. All of these eternal blessings go so far beyond the temporary life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness the framers were going for.
Lord Jesus, thank you for these permanent blessings for those who trust in Your finished work.
Another thing not guaranteed by God but popular is the idea of religious liberty.
Does God guarantee anyone the right to worship Baal or Allah or any false god?
Rather than a right guaranteed by God, it is a sin. God doesnt guarantee sinful rights.
Does not the Golden Rule -or the Commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves- commit us to honor and protect our neighbor’s freedom of conscience? Even if we understand that conscience to freely choose wrongly?
Phillip, There is no right from God for any person to choose sin. Neither is there freedom in the bondage of worshipping false gods. Our message should be to them that there is no freedom in worshipping Allah or whoever it is, but there is only freedom in Christ. Galatians 5 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Those that worship idols are enslaved. Their minds are in bondage. Ephesians 4 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you… Read more »
Phillip, here is another passage, from Romans 1: For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. This tells us the state of man, unsaved man that is. Whatever freedom of conscience he thinks he has is distorted and perverted. Instead of bowing unto the great creator,… Read more »
I don’t like the word guarantee, but religious freedom is certainly a subset of the freedom of our will (even if you are a compatibilist). If people didn’t have the inherent freedom to choose the wrong religion, the bible wouldn’t spend so much time exhorting people to choose the right one. A faith that is not freely exercised is no faith at all. There are certainly consequences to choosing the wrong faith, but that doesn’t make it any less a free choice. Christians would be doing the country no favor by advocating the freedom to only be Christian.
Bill, Of course people have the freedom to sin. Bit its not a right from God. Lets say the USA on whatever end of the political spectrum it might go, prohibits worshipping Jesus. And Allah. Both. Does that mean you cant worship Jesus? Of course not. A lot of countries around the world and through time have persecuted the Body for worshipping Jesus. And we still did it. Likewise, if a government prohibited worshipping Allah, could a Muslim still, under threat, worship his god? Yes of course. Freedom of conscience in that sense is not a right but a trait… Read more »
Bill,
and to add.
Religious freedom, that is true religious freedom, as you have described, as a subset of the freedom of our will, is not something we get from the government, who can neither promote it or stop it. Neither can any group stop anyone from having it. For if the god a person chooses isnt strong enough to keep his adherents, too bad. He deserves to lose them. In the end, only the One True God will be left standing. And He is strong enough to keep His adherents, for He alone has conquered death.
Michael,
Would you have the US eliminate the protection of religious freedom and instead impose Christianity on all?
Chris, No. Imposed Christinaity isnt real Christianity. There is three types of religious freedom. One is the freedom of conscience that no one can take away. It might mean, as it does in many places in the world and in time, that you will suffer for your beliefs. The second is a gracious gift from God, who grants freedom of worship. He does so at the discretion of His will as he works out everything according to His purpose. The third kind is a freedom endowed by man. And since all good gifts come from the Father above, God in… Read more »
Michael,
Which still leaves the question – what would you do with US protection of religious freedom? Do you think it is right for the government to protect the practice of Islam as well as the practice of Christianity? To allow, ie, the purchasing of property for Mosques as well as for churches? To protect people who opt not to recite phrases such as “one nation under God”?
Chris,
yes, why not? I see nothing in the New Testament that instructs Christians to use government on behalf of the Gospel and to stand against those not Christians. The empire of Rome was full of oagan gods and false religions. Our battle against those today is the sme as was used by Jesus and Paul and not the weapons of the world.
https://twitter.com/roddmartin/status/1014637770646720523?s=21
How do you add a photo?
Jimmy Meek, The text in question reads: 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… Read more »
Ken, The Bible tells us that God endowed men with these rights? Where? Rather, it seems to me that rebels against their king lose their rights. Where in the Bible does it say that Government has the duty to secure such rights, since I don’t think they are even mentioned as being rights? Where in the Bible does it say that the governments, which are all instituted by God, are to derive their power from the people they governs? Since all governments are instituted by God, how is this so, since many have been monarchs, dictators and so forth? When… Read more »
Hi, Mike, It seems to me that you have not grasped the complexity of the difference between God’s will for individuals and God will for secular governments–or the difference between divine justice and civil justice. You only seem to see a man’s rights before a holy God. Clearly, he has none as a sinner. When a sinner stands before God, it is right that he be sentenced to destruction. However, when that same citizen stands before a governmental ruler, having committed no capital offense, it is NOT right that he be sentenced to destruction. Further, it is NOT right that… Read more »
Ken, Yes, I am speaking of a people’s rights before God. Before God no person has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That a government should act justly does not guarantee anyones life, liberty or happiness. Neither does the government derive their powers from the consent of the governed. In fact, if God institutes a government, do they not derive their power from Him? All governments were created through Him and for Him and He holds them together. Even brutal dictatorships. If this is so, and you can read it in Colossians 1, then God has… Read more »
Ken, It seems to me that you are mixing up two different things. One is the relationship between God and the nations. The other is the relationship between the Creator and man. God certainly gives the nations responsibilities on how they are to conduct themselves and treat their subjects and deal with all others.. But that does not give a person rights from God. The other relationship, between God and man, Creator to the creature, demands from man 100% obedience. Each person is given a conscience and is expected to know right from wrong or be liable to God in… Read more »
Well stated, Ken Hamrick.
Yes Ken Hamrick, yes indeed!
Thanks, Gentlemen!