(John 8:31-32)  The underlying theme of the scriptures is freedom from sin so that one has the liberty to live for God by helping others and while so doing the doer keeps himself or herself from sin because one cannot do both good and bad at the same time. By studying and learning the message of Jesus Christ, one can remain free and enjoy a blessed life.

The Jews were trying to follow the law while also following Christ. In Galatians 5:1, Paul wrote Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. The law was a yoke of bondage that kept the doer from being free to follow God through Faith in Jesus Christ.

Using the teaching, the yoke of bondage, a principle can be applied to the present day United States. A large section of society is determined to be bound to the yoke of government and the politicians and bureaucrats are all too willing to comply. Government has enacted all manner of laws that keep the citizens in bondage. The laws range from exorbitant taxes on producers to laws that prevent landowners from using their property as they desire. The laws include all forms of social help, food stamps, rent subsidies, free phones and more. Not only are the recipients of the government handouts in bondage, the taxpayers are in bondage to the government, being forced to pay for the largesse and if they don’t, fines and jail are the result.

The founders of the nation fought a long and difficult war to rid themselves of the oppressive rule of England. They created a document, the Constitution, which sets forth the limits on government. By limiting government, the intent was to make freedom from government and the consequent liberty to live as free as possible from laws that would chain people to the dictates of a tyrannical government such as was England. Granted, laws are necessary to keep society stable, but it is up to each citizen to conduct him or herself in a manner that will help keep the maximum liberty for all to enjoy.

Government and law serve a purpose and that purpose is to keep society functioning in a safe and sane manner. Paul wrote in Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  Then in verses 2-4 he wrote, Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. However, in the society of today, the rulers are becoming evil; instead of punishing those who commit crimes, the prosecutors all too often file charges against the victims when the victims defend themselves from robbery and attack.

How did all of it come about? Hosea wrote the answer to the question in chapter 4, verse 6, when God addressed his people: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. The people of the United States have rejected God and his message of salvation in Jesus Christ; the schools are not teaching the constitutional form of government and have not for many years. The churches are teaching that one path (belief)  is as good as another; the schools are teaching that government is the provider of all things and must make sure life is fair for all, even those who have no inclination to better themselves through learning and work.  

When the teachings of God are forgotten and government becomes the savior for the people, a nation will suffer the consequences just as the children of Israel did time after time. The United States is in the same condition in 2011 and it isn’t becoming any better. The people cry for help from the gods in political office and a government that is decadent to the core, instead of not only turning to God, but also insisting that the Constitution be followed for good government.

That which you have just read is the truth and the knowledge of those truths will indeed make you free from bondage if you practice the teachings of God and the Constitution each day. In Sorting It Out, then and only then will freedom and liberty be yours to enjoy. 

© 05-29-2011 DEC