When this country was first formed as an experiment as a democratic republic, it was unknown if the people could maintain it. For freedom is a fragile thing, dependent upon truth, virtue, and even faith. But for truth, faith, and virtue to stand one must also have freedom. Was everything perfect as the initial colonies began this new form of government by the people? Certainly not! But the genius of our constitution was just this, it was a promissory note that could be cashed in as the people grew in their strength and ability to live out this freedom they were given. A covenant of sort. Everything to later abolish slavery was already written in the original documents, just waiting for a time for it to become reality.
There in the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence was this promise. “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.”
Governments deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Therein lies the dilemma. Can mankind ever govern, maintaining the freedom of a republic such as ours without virtue and faith? And can this “Golden Triangle” as referred to by Os Guinness ever stand without first holding fast to truth?
America was founded on principles only before seen in the Christian/Judeo systems. Where God called forth liberty and freedom from the bondage of sin; but not to use that freedom to harm or perform evil. He called forth a people from the bondage of sin to a righteous life instead.
Can Freedom really be freedom without Virtue and faith?
Absolutely not! For without virtue and faith, freedom becomes only a newer bondage in which there is no such thing as freedom. True freedom is to be able for all to seek life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. When one’s “freedom” becomes that of selfish gain at the harm of others, then there is no more freedom to be had. Paul wrote in Galatians 5:
5 Stand[a] fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage….
But what is that yoke of bondage from which we have been set free? The flesh with all its evil desires.
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! Galatians 5
When freed from our chains of sin, we can then live in freedom; but that remains only so long as we die to the old flesh and live in this new freedom which requires faith and virtue.
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus (what accomplishes this is) faith working through love.
Walking in the Spirit to Fulfill Freedom
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [d]adultery, [e]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [f]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 [g]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Can Freedom Continue with Corruption?
No! For the corruption of the best usually leads to the worst! The greatest monsters in history began as the best, the brightest and those who strove to advance the “good of mankind”, believing the humanist lies of man’s innate goodness. Some of these include Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin. They believe in a brighter new society based upon men and women “good nature” and ability to govern themselves without God.
But then how can we truly preserve and stand in this Freedom, as Christians and as a Nation? By returning to the very principles on which we were built.
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom,
And before Commit[b] your works to the Lord,
And your thoughts will be established.
4 The Lord has made all for Himself,
Yes, even the wicked for the day of [c]doom.
5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
Though they join [d]forces, none will go unpunished.
6 In mercy and truth
Atonement is provided for iniquity;
And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.
honor is humility. Proverb 15:33, 16:3-6
Only with virtue and faith, can freedom stand!
Just as an oasis can exist so long as the wellspring bubbles forth life, so can we exist only so long as we have the well spring of life within us as a nation and as individuals. That wellspring of life only comes from our creator. Without Him, we will die. So, we must seek Him if we hope to survive. We must heed His instructions.
Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly. Proverbs 16:22
Will We Survive?
In short, we need a revival of heart as individuals and as a nation. Will we survive? All depends on this! Always before, we as a nation stood strong, overcame and became renewed. But each of those times there had been great revivals that swept our nation. The deep sadness I feel today is that this time I do not see revival happening as it did before. Instead, evil seems to be over taking with no one turning to God for help.
Will we survive? I don’t know; but if there is any hope it depends on each of us falling before God. Every Christian must be willing to speak up. Proclaim the good news of the gospel. Live lives that exemplify Christ in everything we do. That can only begin when we with broken and contrite hearts fall before our Savior and King, Jesus Christ. Then, picking up the Sword of Truth go forth to proclaim His name to everyone we meet.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2020
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.