Tuesday, June 25, 2013

June 26, 2013

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people." Proverbs 14:34

The really big inspired idea that made the founding of America like no other nation that has ever existed is this: Individual human rights are given by God and those rights are protected from the government by a Constitution and a Bill of Rights.
 
What a bold experiment!
 
Our Founders clearly knew that what they were doing was Divinely inspired and understood that the rights would be safely only if they were protected by righteous leaders.
 
I share a few of their quotes:
 
"Whatever makes men good Christians, makes them good citizens." - Daniel Webster
 
“With a firm reliance on the protection of Almighty God, I shall forwith commence the duties of the high trust to which you have called me.” - James Monroe
 
“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” - Patrick Henry
 
 “God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.” - Thomas Jefferson
 
"Let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God [Exodus 18:21]. . . . If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted . . . If our government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws." - Noah Webster
 
So, these great wise Founders understood that not only was God the source of our rights, but He was also our Source and our Standard for the righteousness necessary to protect the freedom provided by those rights.
 
The ancient wisdom of Solomon, "Righteousness exalts a nation" has been proven true these centuries later by the greatness to which American rose when righteous leaders honored the God-given rights that made them free people.
 
More recently it has also been proven by corrupt and greedy leaders who oppress individual rights because they have no sense of righteousness.
 
If you think individual righteousness doesn't matter, watch what happens to your presonal rights over the next few years!
 
Make sure you get it right!