“Of the people, by the people, for the people.” These words have long described the early efforts by our forefathers to create a government in which the voice of man and of reason would triumph over hate and anger. It was to be a representative government in which the voice of the people could be heard in order to drive the nation in the right way. They desired for each religion to be able to practice and worship as they saw fit. There never was a call for separation of church and state. The reason being that our forefathers looked to the religion of Jesus the Christ. It was in their writings, speeches and conduct. We have over the years allowed the concept of Republic to be replaced by democracy. The difference being that in democracy it is the will of the majority instead of representation by all the people.
The time in which we now find ourselves is a time when the religion of Jesus the Christ is the target of those who want man to be free from any religious restraints. We shout it from the “roof-tops” that man is made in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:26). Where in the animal world is the slightest indication of moral concern? Since our public schools indoctrinate children with the idea that man came from animals, where is the restraint necessary to control bad thinking and attitudes? Do packs of lions or other similar animals feel remorse at killing man or other animals? Only man is made in the image and likeness of God. Man is the only creature with the ability to choose between good and evil.
Our forefathers fought a war with England in order to preserve a new form of government and people in this new world. They knew there had to be laws to prevent the evil-doers from taking over. Where would these laws come from? It is a testament to them, the times they were living in and the power of God’s Word which made the difference. They wrote about, spoke about and for the most part lived by what they believed was found in scriptures. This nation by God’s providence had at times a shaky start but one that was firm to establish new form of government on these shores.
We have now moved into this the 21st century with so many striving to get away from or in some ways to forget where we came from. The names on buildings and marquees try to stress that we are not like we used to be. It is in the mind of some to just have the word “church” somewhere on the building. The New Testament writers inspired by the Holy Spirit put much effort in explaining to the pagan world around them that the church was bought by, built by and sustained by Jesus the Christ. Jesus said He would build His church (Matt. 16:18). As surely as some group of judges or individual judge treads into the realm that belongs only to God, so are some religiously. The name of church of Christ is ridicule by those coming out of our schools. They ascend to “lofty pedestals” and inform poor “ignorant brethren” how the term is offensive to those of the religious world.
How many souls have ever be won to Christ and stay with Christ by altering the truth in order to get them? Are there people who use the term “church of Christ” in a denomination manner? We have all heard such taking place. Does an awareness of such mean that the church does not belong to Christ who paid for it with His own blood (Acts 20:28)? Does it mean that Jesus will not show who is the only Potentate, King of kings and Lord of lords (I Tim. 6:15)? The church is His and we are His. If one is ashamed of the Lord, it is time to contemplate what one’s life is all about.
Our nation began in earnest back in 1776. The church of our Lord began back in Acts 2 around A.D. 33. I encourage all Americans to realize the importance of 1776 and to engage in the heart felt practice of always be thankful to God for those roots. By the same token and in a greater way we as Christians should thank God always for the events in Acts 2. We do not possess voting power in this kingdom but living power (Rom. 12:1). The new earth of Matthew 5:5, composed of those who speak the truth in love, walk in the light of the gospel, forgive each other, help each other and if necessary die for the Lord Jesus. It is a government conceived by the mind of God before man was ever created in His image and likeness (Micah 5:2). May we all give thanks daily for where we came from and where we are.