Faith in God and Liberty
“…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)
The word “LIBERTY” is on all U.S. coins. Additionally, President Eisenhower signed a resolution in 1955 mandating “In God We Trust” on all U.S. currency. Charles Bennett (D-Fla), the bill’s author, said, “In these days when imperialistic and materialistic communism seeks to attack and destroy freedom, we should continually look for ways to strengthen the foundations of our freedom,” (Author Unknown (2017) The Legislation Placing “In God We Trust” on National Currency; History, Art, & Archives; U.S. House of Representatives
Congressman Bennett spoke a powerful truth, but the idea of faith in God as the foundation of America’s liberty did not originate with him. It came from God’s Word. The word “liberty” does not just mean freedom, but freedom under God’s authority. Psalm 119:45 says, “And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.” The writer first sought to obey God: “…I seek thy precepts.” As a result, he would walk at liberty. Submission to God does not bring bondage. It brings liberty.
America was not founded on liberty or on human rights, but on faith in the God of the Bible. The Declaration of Independence does not say people are endowed with certain unalienable rights, but “…endowed BY THEIR CREATOR with certain unalienable rights…” Obedient faith in God is the foundation. Liberty and human rights are built on that foundation of obedient faith in God.
Yet as submission to God brings liberty, rebellion against God brings bondage. That idea may seem contradictory also, but as our verse says, “…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” Or inversely, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is not, there is not liberty.” When people fear and obey God, they invite liberty. When people disregard God, they invite bondage.
Are we losing liberties in America? If so, is it because our foundation of faith in God is weak? If you destroy the foundation of obedient faith in God, you also destroy the superstructure of liberty. If the “In God We Trust” proposal were made in 2022, what do you think the reaction would be?
God had warned Israel of the dangers of forsaking Him: “Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours.” (Jeremiah 5:19) Is something similar happening in America? Do many people in America not care about serving or pleasing God, and as a result many leaders do not care about putting us into bondage?
If you think some leaders are bringing America into bondage, pray for them by name. Pray for them to receive Jesus as Saviour, and for God to convict them about their political conduct. God dealt with many rulers in the Bible. He can deal with America’s leaders and America’s people.
If you want to see how to have your sins forgiven and an eternal home in heaven when you die, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links”, then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”
Brian Miller 7/4/2022
Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822