Independence Day

Independence Day
By Robetron
[Originally appearing in the October, 2004 “Christian Patriot”]

Two hundred and fifty years ago, our lands were occupied by families who wanted nothing more than to live out their lives quietly and without restriction upon their religious expressions and beliefs. They had spent decades, even centuries under the oppression of civil governments who sought to control the populace by controlling their religion. They escaped to the American continent. For a time, they enjoyed some sense of isolation and self-rule, but it was not long before the unreasonable King George of England desired to increase his revenue by unfairly taxing the colonies, refusing to allow them to be represented in his court. The British Empire had colonies all over the world, but this time King George abused the wrong people.

The character of this gestating new nation was such that they willingly hazarded the threats of an ocean voyage, settling for the rough, dangerous life of pioneering in an untamed land. Such men and women are made of sterner stuff. There was, however, nowhere else to go to escape the oppression of men; it had followed them across the ocean. It was only through the brief barrier of distance that these people had sampled something of which they were not easily willing to let go. The spirit of revolution was quickly inflamed in their hearts.

Religiously, a people who had been sharply divided, now became united against a common enemy, and in July 1776, they declared their sovereign independence. The vulgar price of this majestic cause, for which men, women, and children would lose their homes, loved ones, and too often their lives, seemed to them to be worth the cost. They viewed the cause for which they fought as greater than their individual wants or needs, greater than themselves, greater than any other personal possession, a greater inheritance to leave their children. The cause was freedom.

Today we memorialize that fourth day of July, and we celebrate the heroism of those who paid the price with their own blood. We lift up their memory because they wanted nothing more than the ability to exercise certain “unalienable rights”, including, but not limited to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. What many of us seem to forget or perhaps take for granted is that those rights are not ours because the government or the majority vote somehow gave them to us; neither was it achieved by a force of arms. Rather, the United States Constitution only recognized those rights, and that those rights came from a higher power than themselves.

Ten years after the Declaration of Independence was signed and the enemy had been driven aback, the founders of a new nation embarked on a grander pioneering venture than had ever before been taken up in the world of men. The principles upon which they based their laws were already in existence, but never before had there been a nation founded in them collectively. It is an oft denied, but irrefutable fact that Christianity cast the shadow of the fragile freedom we now enjoy in America. This past year (2004), the national holiday fell on the same day which God set aside to memorialize an even greater day, the first day of the week, the Lord’s Day. It is my sincere desire that every time the colors of Old Glory flies, every time the National Anthem is sung, and every time a victory is won, I want every Christian to thrill at the thought of their original Independence Day.

The Cause of Liberty
The greatness of America is based in the cause of liberty, but by definition, ‘liberty’ implies a release from oppression. The first colonies of America were pressed into war, yet their motives were not entirely material in nature. The people longed for the intellectual liberty to study God’s word for themselves. They wanted to throw off the governmental shackles which impeded that progress and return to the truth of the Bible. They knew the deeper, more serious problem is man’s spiritual bondage. A ruler, 3000 miles away, with his thumb in every pie, hindering those desiring to return to the ancient order of things, typified the problem of sin.

The palpable oppression of Satan to keep everyone in their sins comes often through the agency of men in positions of power. Ephesians 2:2 speaks of Satan as a ruler, of sorts: “…the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience”. Therefore, he who does the work like unto Satan is just as surely a servant of Satan, whether it be a ruler, or a false teacher:

“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2Corinthians 11:14, 15)

Yes, “…the scripture hath concluded all under sin…” (Galatians 3:22), and we remain in that slavery as long as we remain guilty of sin. You may have a small portion of freedom in America, but… “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16) Satan may not control your will, but everyone needs to be set at liberty from his tyrannical rule, into which we so readily entered by sin.

Thanks belong to God, for he has provided for our needs. Christ offers liberty to every man and woman of any country. Perhaps you recall, near the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, when he took a portion of the book of Isaiah and applied it to himself:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” (Luke 4:18 – emphasis mine, SK)

Jesus brought the gospel, preached the gospel, is the gospel, and he delivers those in captivity, giving them liberty by the gospel.

Jesus led a revolution, the likes of which could only be imitated in a coarse, earthy form in the American Revolution. Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Hamilton, Adams, and all of the heroes of the revolutionary war were great men, but none was so gracious as the Lord of Heaven. Seeing the desperate need of man to be set free, God did not forcibly insert Himself as our ruler, but rather made of himself “of no reputation” (Philippians 2:7), and in so doing, took upon Himself, not only the burden of being human, but also the burden of liberating humanity. Being obedient to God (leaving us an example, cf. 1Peter 2:21), He suffered the price of death that He might offer us a new life. Is that not what America held in promise for those first settlers, a new start, a new way of life? Is that not why it was called, at the time, “the new world”? Yet, it was only a reflection, a shadow of true Christianity, because, “…if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2Corinthians 5:17)

The Taste of Freedom
It is this new start for which man hungers, and when he realizes it is within his grasp, that man has tasted freedom. It is the taste of freedom that gives us the conviction we need to obey the truth, once it is found. Often it is from the sufferings we had in our bondage that teaches us the importance of obedience. Had there been no suffering under the heavy hand of the British Empire, the true value of freedom may have escaped that generation, but instead it motivated them to give up everything in order to obtain it. Jesus likewise gave His all to offer it (cf. Hebrews 5:8, 9).

How desperately has any of us today had to fight just to have a decent meal, or for decent wages, and livable housing? How much do we appreciate the “free-enterprise” system that allows us to take a job or leave it as we choose? Men of deep and abiding character shed their blood for that choice. How much greater then, is the institution bought with the blood of Christ, wherein is eternal freedom? (cf. Acts 20:28; Matthew 25:46)

One of the few flaws in the Constitution of the United States was that it left room for the oppression of slavery. However, the penmen had based the ideals of American freedom on the spiritual concepts and principles that all men were, not only created, but also created equal. It was inevitable that slavery would either self-destruct, or tear apart the nation. The taste of freedom and God’s providence brought slavery to an end, once again at a terrible cost. The prevailing principle is that God made all men of one blood (cf. Acts 17:26); yet, all men are also in bondage to death due to their own sins (cf. Romans 6:16). Only in Christ have we been made free! (cf. Romans 6:23) The taste of freedom in Christ drives the desire to give whatever is necessary for the cause. This is where many fail to understand. The cause, as Jesus saw it, was greater than Himself, and He was willing to pay the price. The American people saw their children, and their children’s children forever in bondage to the oppression of other rulers, and they were willing to pay the price to free them.

Once that taste of freedom was achieved nationally, it drove the people to desire the true freedom in Christ. Men of great ability began to search the scriptures, and before long, the truth of the gospel was finally being made known. A new American revolution was carving great swaths in the sectarian world of religious bondage. They fought for a different cause: unity, but they insisted that it would only be based on the authority of Christ. Calling for the rejection of man-made creeds and traditions, they cast off the errors of a supposed need for the Holy Spirit to enlighten and enliven them before they could obey the truth of the Bible. They discovered the true path to spiritual freedom. It was not in belief alone, but also in obedience. The scriptures, they discovered, taught the necessity of faith, as well as repentance, confession and baptism for the remission of sin. (cf. John 8:24; Acts 17:30; Romans 10:10; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Colossians 2:12)

The taste of freedom also ignites the spirit of revolution within the converted Christian. The “spirit of revolution”, in the sense that I am using it, is that powerful swelling of emotion and loyalty in appreciation for all God has granted in His sovereign benevolence. We have so much more than we could ever expect from our God, materially as Americans, and spiritually as Christians. It is the love of God which prompts our love for Him; for the cost of our freedom and independence was heavy indeed (cf. Romans 5:8; 1John 4:19). That love gives us all the motivation we need to do everything He requires, which is basically two things: (1) that the citizens of His Kingdom take the fight to the enemy (cf. Matthew 28:19; 2Timothy 4:2); and (2) that we keep ourselves from being captured by the enemy by walking in the pure ways of His instructions (1John 1:5). This love is the essence to which we refer when we speak of loyalty, fidelity, and patriotism. “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

The Responsibilities of Independence
Of course, we must never forget the responsibilities of independence. For Americans to continue to enjoy independence, we must retain those original values. There must be no compromise from an accurate interpretation of laws; for those laws were forged by the principles of the immutable purity of God. The changeless Lord gave us the guidelines of ethics that do not change with culture, or evolve with time.

All we have to do is look to biblical examples of societies in history who left God out of their structures. One by one, they fell; they were destroyed by enemies, or were taken over by other nations. The people of Canaan were driven out because of their iniquities (cf. Leviticus 18:24, 25). It was the digression of God’s people in Israel that drove them into bondage to the Midianites; to the Philistines; to the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Repeatedly, they lost their freedom and independence due to compromising God’s guidance with man’s desires. (Judges) There was a split in the Israelite nation due to immorality and compromise (1Kings 11:11) – just as it has happened in the church, and as it has happened in America in the past. Eventually, the northern nation, Israel was destroyed by Assyria in 722 BC. Did Judah learn from history? No, they likewise fell into the captivity of Babylon only a hundred and twenty years later. (2Chronicles 36:5-21)

Let us not forget the work of many of the prophets during these times. Not only did they warn the chosen people of God, but they were also sent to warn or pronounce God’s judgment toward many of the foreign nations and cities such as Nineveh, Tyre, Sidon, Moab, Edom, and Babylon. Every last one of them fell for their transgressions. Consider what has happened since those times. The Persian Empire was destroyed, the Grecian Empire, the Roman Empire, every nation of the earth has been destroyed for lack of biblical knowledge. (The secular influence is even currently wearing down the European nations.) In the time period of the American Revolutionary War, England was the dominant power of the world, until a certain people with a spirit of revolution showed the entire world what true independence is. Therefore, lest we slip into the same example of self-defeat and disbelief, we ought not to think ourselves immune to that which divides and destroys.

Nevertheless, we shall not be undone. Unless we let loose those principles that bind us together, liberty, freedom, and independence, we shall not be undone. Liberty, freedom, and independence do not engender strife or division, not when properly understood and applied. Anger, malice and hatred arise only when someone warps the true meaning of those concepts in order to justify doing unrighteous acts. Borrowing the language of the Hebrew writer when he spoke of those who turn away from the faith: “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.” (Hebrews 6:9)

Having this dual citizenship in the United States and in the Kingdom of Heaven, as undaunted soldiers of faith, we hold forth the faithful word, which is able to make our country wise unto salvation, with every individual setting aside their personal agendas, coming together for the greater good of the people. Following our Lord Christ, and learning from our history, we must be the source of light from which America may be likened unto a shinning city upon a hill. That is our patriotic duty: To revive the spirit of revolution against the principalities and powers of the air that hold many fellow citizens of the world in the bondage of sin.

There is a poem that someone once put to music. I hope that you are familiar with it:
Oh, beautiful; for spacious skies; for amber waves of grain;
For purple mountain’s majesty, above the fruited plains:
America! America! God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good
With brotherhood
From sea to shining sea
From boarder to boarder, coast to coast, those blessing are dependant upon you and on me to maintain them. That is what independence demands: The love of God, family, and country to the determinant end that the next generation will be able to enjoy the very same goodness.

There is something magnificent about the origins our great nation, which typifies the Christian freedom in Christ. Men died to offer us the greatest nation ever created upon the earth. Jesus Christ died to offer us freedom in the Kingdom of Heaven. In as much as, or as long as, the United States is in a similitude to the church of Christ, it shall never be destroyed nor removed from its original greatness (cf. Daniel 2:44), but it is only within the spiritual Kingdom (cf. Hebrews 12:28) that eternal life and liberty of the soul resides.

Let everyone partake of the true liberty offered to us. Let today be your Independence Day. Let Jesus set you free. Do you want the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Come to Jesus, and you will find much, much more.

Why Are Ye Fearful?

One of the more awe-inspiring of Jesus’ miracles is the events found in Matthew 8:23-27. It is only stated in a few sentences, but the wording is so visual that even a momentary period of reflection makes one’s eyes widen with the panoramic view of how it happened. The lesson is driven deeply to the marrow of one’s mind.

Verse 23 captures a great deal by itself when the apostle records, “And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.” How much more could be said? As the song goes, “Where He leads, I’ll follow; follow Jesus every day.” It does not matter where He takes us in life, it should always be our determination to follow Him, to be the best example of a follower of Jesus that anyone could be. Into a ship where dangers threaten and adventure awaits, or upon the land in the tedium of our commonplace routine, “I will follow Jesus” is to be our theme and guiding compass.

Verse 24 illustrates the inevitable coming to pass; difficulties happen to everyone, and they tend to try our faith in God’s providential care. “And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves…” Sometimes the events in our life that seem so traumatic in the moment make us think that God is not paying attention to us, that somehow He has neglected to watch over. The rest of the verse says, “but he was asleep.” Au contraire: God would not allow His plans to come to naught by letting the tempest swallow up His Only Begotten thwarting His eternal purpose (Cf. Ephesians 3:10, 11). If God would not allow harm to come to His plans in bringing the church to us, why would He allow harm to come to His church without a purpose? Whatever happens, it may fall among those things that “…work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). Trust in God’s purpose, and endure what you must; you cannot go wrong. Unfortunately, the disciples at the moment were presently learning this, as verses 25 and 26 record their rebuke: “And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?”

In verse 26, the disciples were not the only objects of rebuke: “Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” You can almost hear the full-grown men gulp. Perhaps it would be easy to judge them harshly for being slow to figure it out, but honestly, how do you process a sight such as this? The divine record expresses their inability to fathom it all in verse 27: “But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!”

It would be a mystical experience to see a man cast out demons by nothing more than a command. It would cause a ground-shaking wonderment to see a man’s withered arm restored to perfect use. To see a man control the vast power of nature with a verbal rebuke, however, is to see the power of God embodied in the flesh. If you are in His favor, and in His company, you would certainly fall under His protection. Why should this not stand true today as the Lord of Glory rules from His throne in Heaven? In whatever situation, if you find yourself becoming apprehensive, ask yourself, “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?”

-Robetron

The Best Gifts

The apostle writes, “But [desire] earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” (1Cor. 12:31) It is an unfortunate occurrence of a chapter-break that follows next, because if there were no divisions of chapters and verses, the logician in Paul would be seen developing his thoughts in the context of what is said in chapter 12. It seems, the church in Corinth, Greece had been squabbling among themselves, even going so far as to divide themselves according to their own estimation of the miraculous gifts that had been bestowed upon them. Some thought one type of gift was more special than another, while others countered by promoting a different gift above others.

They are called to reason, as the apostle reminds them that these gifts are not skills they developed on their own: “[I]t is the same God which worketh all in all,” and that glorying in themselves is not the purpose for which these gifts were given: “…the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” (1Cor. 12:6, 7) He illustrates to them the fact that each part of the body is designed to compliment and support all of the other parts, and it is to be the same in the body of Christ. In other words, he who has “the best,” has been given it to help provide for those who lack “the best.” The weakest is honored by the strongest. Those who have the least to contribute materially, or even during the assembly, are the most honored and precious to those who have much to offer. All are to be considered equal in justice, in honor, and in God’s esteem. This is the point Paul is compelled to develop, and emphasize. Yes, desire the greater abilities to help others, but in the absence of material things, in the absence of miraculously given abilities, there is something of abiding, and greater value. This is the “more excellent way,” and the gifts that we should desire even more greatly.

In chapter 13, he begins to explain. There was, at the time of his writing, miraculous gifts, positions as apostles, prophets, teachers, miraculous healings, speaking in un-studied languages, miraculously interpreting un-studied languages, and such like. Paul says even if I had all of these gifts, without charity [love], it is empty and worthless. The key to the whole body remaining together is its love for all its parts individually. He intimates, one day those miraculous gifts you have allowed to divide you will be taken away, as the need for them will no longer exist; what will
happen then, if you do not have charity [love]? After the miraculous gifts are gone, there still abides three gifts that we should always desire: “…now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” (1Cor.13:13) The “better way” is charity.

Oh, yes, it is inevitable that certain preachers have different styles that appeal to us more than others, and it is impossible but that some song leaders are better at it than others. The modern day equivalent of what happened in Corinth, Greece is that the bigger personalities, and the more public faces have drawn too much attention. It is the penniless pew-sitters that deserve the greatest honor and support. It is the ones who desire to learn the “best gifts” of faith, hope, and charity that deserve our attention. Potential preachers need more attention from our coffers, and the backbone of any congregation, the women, deserve more honor and ‘thanks’. The weakest in the faith deserve the most attention from those who have the abilities to serve, and the responsibility of holding the church together by love belongs to those who have been most greatly blessed. It is an honor to give honor, and it is more of an honor to serve than to be served. To have faith, hope, and love, is to offer faith, hope, and love. That is the “better way.”

-Robetron