A parallel exists between the Bible and the Constitution of the United States, though there are many who deny that fact and claim that there isn’t any relationship at all since the Constitution doesn't mention God. Principally, those who so claim don’t wish to honor God or follow the strict constraints on government found in the document. Both the Bible and the Constitution speak to a certain restraint on behavior; the Bible on individual behavior morally and ethically; the Constitution on behavior of those  who are elected to public office (government) so that government doesn’t overstep its bounds. The problems occur in both areas when both the Bible and the Constitution are ignored. People don’t like to be bound by rules of any kind no matter their origin, whether from the Bible or the Constitution.

Jesus said to Peter: 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:19)  The principle herein stated is that Peter was going to receive a message of truth which he was to proclaim to the people. In other words, he was going to follow a prescribed path as outlined by the Master, and it is proper to say that Jesus intended for him to follow that message with no deviation from it. 

In the same fashion, the authors of the Constitution gave to us the path found in the Constitution for our form of government; neither did they intend for any deviation from the Constitution and their writings are filled with such admonitions about doing so. After carefully giving the Powers of Congress in Article I, Section 8, clauses 1-17, they further limited the powers with clause 18: To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.  First, the powers are outlined; then provision is given to carry out the foregoing (emphasis is mine on the word foregoing since their powers of execution are limited to the preceding 17 clauses); and secondly, the other limit refers to all other powers vested by the Constitution in the government, departments and officers.

Just as Peter was given the keys to entering the reign and rule of Christ (kingdom of heaven) and was bound by them, the Constitution binds those who are elected to public office in what they are able to do governmentally. The Constitution expresses the keys for effectively carrying out the provisions for constitutional government so that it can rule according to the constraints set forth. (It is argued by the proponents of big government that clause 18 is the license to expand government since all sorts of programs can be tailored to fit the preceding 17 clauses that limit the government. They also use the words general welfare found in clause one. They are wrong on both counts, and any all programs must be viewed in light of not only Section 8, but in the light of Article 9 and 10 of the Bill of Rights.) 

Additionally, Article 6, which seems to be ignored more often than it is followed, reads in clause 2: This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding. (Treaties do not supplant the supreme law of the land because that would be contrary to the Constitution itself. The grammar, when properly understood, places laws and treaties subordinate to the Constitution which provides for them to be made, but they do not supplant the document or its intent as the governing body of the nation because of the words, "This Constitution" the subject,  and the predicate, shall be the supreme law of the land.") Then clause 3 states: The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

Just as the Bible binds and puts limits on behavior in order to live pleasing to God, in Article 6 the binding and limiting is expressly set forth for every individual in government whether they like it or not. In their wisdom, the founders placed those limits on the government and we would be more than wise to return to the limits they set forth.

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