The remnants of what they gave us still provide us with (though to a great measure diminished) a certain measure of political and social freedom. I do believe in what has been termed "American Exceptionalism." This is not because I see us as some special people with superior minds and abilities. The Scripture tells us we are all under sin and depraved in our nature.
(Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.)
Our exceptionalism lies at the foundation of our laws and forms of government. These ideas were formed in the minds of men who were influenced by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and who were learned in the Scripture. It provided them with an understanding of freedom that had alluded previous governments of history. Similar concepts of republican government had been tried before with some success, but limited in both time and effect. But here, the principles came into effect with a people whose hearts had been prepared to not only live under them, but understand them and cherish them.
"[W]e have no government armed with
power capable of contending
with human passions unbridled by
morality and religion. . . . Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious
people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." (Source: John Adams, The Works of John
Adams, Second President of the United States,
Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown, and Co. 1854), Vol. IX,
p. 229, October 11, 1798.)
[I]t is religion and morality alone
which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely
stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue.
(Source: John Adams, The Works of John Adams, Second President of the
United States, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown,
1854), Vol. IX, p. 401, to Zabdiel Adams on June 21, 1776.)
At the founding of our nation, our people not only understood the principles of freedom derived from an understanding of the Gospel, but from that Gospel understood the nature of fallen man. This not only gave them the unique ability to form a free government, but the unique ability to be governed by that government. We have come so far from their experience that we are becoming indifferent to that religion and its morality that was so crucial to it. The freedom they envisioned was understood to only be possible with a people given to the principles embodied within the Christian faith.
John Adams expresses this very well in the quotes listed above. The government they instituted and the constitution they so wisely produced could only govern such a people adequately. If the people became something else, the government of necessity would have to change. Thus, the strengthening of our government and the increase of its rule in our lives is in direct response to the weakening of our people to govern themselves by the principles they entrusted their lives to.
It is not that all citizens of the United States must be Christian for the Constitution to function adequately, this was understood to be unrealistic. But the principles of Christianity must be instilled into society for it to function properly, a morality so to speak that would form a basis of right and wrong, and appropriate conduct. To the extent this is disregarded is in direct proportion to the failure of the Constitution to function.
“Whenever the pillars of Christianity
shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and
all blessings which flow from them, must fall with them.” ----
Jedediah Morse. (Source: Jedediah Morse, Election Sermon given at
Charleston, MA, on April 25, 1799.)
The pillars have been damaged, without God's grace they cannot be repaired. Time and man's nature have eroded them beyond recovery. Only God's Amazing Grace and its work upon the hearts of men can restore the freedom of Government those before gave us.
But hope is not lost, if America crumbles into the dust ben of history and all her great principles lie in ruin, the God of Providence still rules and His Gospel still gives freedom. Whereas American freedom gives political and social blessings, the Gospel gives true freedom to the heart of man. It frees him from his brokenness and gives life where only death abides.
The world is a broken place, America has been a shinning light, it was made to be that light by the Gospel and has been a blessing to its people and the world. America needs the Gospel, the Gospel does not need America. It is the Gospel that is the hope of the world and a reprieve from its brokenness.
The freedom of the Gospel which is found in Jesus Christ likewise comes not without conflict and fighting. There is a continual struggle that abides in the Christian life. It is a struggle both within and without.
2Co 7:5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Freedom is not easy in any realm, it must be defended and fought for. As there are enemies to American freedom, there are enemies to our spiritual freedom. If we neglect the one, we lose a nation, if we neglect the other, we lose life eternal. Like the principles that built America, the principles upon which the Church was formed have been so diminished in American Christianity that it is almost unrecognizable from the Church of our fathers. The fighting, the sacrifice, and the love for truth have been replaced with complacency, comfort, and the love of our own pleasure. We have convinced ourselves that God wants for us what our own carnal hearts desire.
But this is not freedom, but bondage to our own corruption. We may be free to do what is right in our own eyes, but our eyes are blinded to truth.
Deu_12:8 Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes.
Jdg_17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Pro_12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
Pro_21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
There is great grace where truth is found. For a man to see, his eyes must be opened, this he cannot do for himself. For a man to understand his mind must be illuminated, this he cannot do for himself. Even yet, he is unable of himself then to do and obey the truth that he sees and understands. Our hope is in God alone, for in His grace we see, and the Holy Spirit so works this grace in our lives that truth is illuminated and then through His sanctifying work we are able to obey the truth we receive. Therein we have life and freedom from our own ruin. The bondage of our corrupt nature is broken, and we are free indeed!
Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
The structure of our American government was such that it restrained and protected society from the unrestrained passions of men and gave a certain measure of peace and freedom in which to live. But the Gospel frees us from our own passions, gives real peace and freedom to do righteousness. Opens our eyes to God's truth and a desire and love for it.
If you want to live in a free nation, seek the principles that produce that freedom. If you want to be free regardless of your political and social status, seek the one who alone gives life! Cry out to him in repentance, seek mercy and not judgment. He has Grace in abundance. If you have the least desire, move toward Him. Continue to press in, there is life in abundance!
May the Grace of God be with each of you,
David
