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| Embarkation of The Pilgrims by Robert W. Weir |
A person who is full
tramples honeycombs,
but to a hungry person,
any bitter thing is sweet.
-Proverbs 27:7
As a country and culture, we are collectively guilty of trampling honeycombs, the truly sweet things of life.
America's founders were Christian men and women who fled religious persecution in Europe. Later, during the American Revolution, they stood up against the tyrannical oppression and injustice of English rule. Those men and women frequently set aside national days of prayer. They were educated and well versed in the Bible. Some of them were pastors, chaplains, and ministers of the Gospel.
David Gelernter, a writer for The Washington Post, opens his article, The Bible and American History, stating, “Every school that teaches American history must teach the Bible’s central role.” Instead, we’ve allowed the rape of our public education under the guise of intellectual impartiality and a complete misrepresentation of context and meaning of "separation of Church and State."
Robert Weir’s 1843 painting “Embarkation of the Pilgrims” shows an open Bible, people kneeling and praying. It depicts Trinitarian Christians seeking Christ’s provision and mercy.
America, as a country, has been “full” for a very long time. This fullness has led to our trampling of honeycombs. We have created an entitled culture where citizens have no respect for authority, no thankfulness for education or educators, no appreciation for our military, and certainly no praise for our God of Holy Trinity.
America, as a country, has been “full” for a very long time. This fullness has led to our trampling of honeycombs. We have created an entitled culture where citizens have no respect for authority, no thankfulness for education or educators, no appreciation for our military, and certainly no praise for our God of Holy Trinity.
It was the God of Holy Trinity whom our founders truly celebrated, honestly revered, rightfully praised, glorified, honored and gave thanks to. One way they did so was by inking the Declaration of Independence. In the prologue, it states:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”
The Declaration was authored by redeemed people who understood we are only truly free in loving bondage to Christ (Rom 1:1; 1 Cor 7:22) our Creator. Those freed from bondage to sin then permitted the Republic they'd established to uphold and defend inalienable rights endowed by God Almighty. It seems the great oversight of our forefathers was the pervasive and depraved state of humanity.
In the article, "Giving Up Liberty for Security," author Andrew Napolitano points out, "Liberty is the default position. Liberty is the essence of our natural state. Liberty cannot possibly be equal to a good we have instructed the government to obtain." What Napolitano and our forefathers seem to have overlooked is Genesis 3. Our Creator, the One to whom the Constitution correctly attributes our inalienable rights, also reveals the reality of universal depravity and sin.
What happens when unredeemed individuals, those still in bondage to sin (not to Christ our Creator), hold sway in government? Look around. The God our forefathers lauded for inalienable rights was ejected. Prayer and praise to the God of liberty and freedom became criminal. The masses, like Eve in Eden, readily surrender, via handout, what God's sovereignty and providence previously ordained. Corrupt and godless government seeks to supplant God Almighty as the provider of security, life, liberty, and happiness.
How's that been working out for us?
We are no longer a republic united as “one nation under God.” We ceased to be “indivisible” long ago. We are no longer about “liberty and justice for all.” True liberty and justice require the kind of recognition our forefathers gave to our Creator. True liberty and justice mean the diminished role of government and the elevated responsibility for individuals. It means the elimination of personal entitlement and consumption and upholding personal responsibility and contribution.
When we actively participate in our communities, then the people we've built, invested and sustained relationships with fill the gap. God ordained it to happen through authentic relationships with other people - not via government systems, programs, or subsidized handouts.
In the article, "Giving Up Liberty for Security," author Andrew Napolitano points out, "Liberty is the default position. Liberty is the essence of our natural state. Liberty cannot possibly be equal to a good we have instructed the government to obtain." What Napolitano and our forefathers seem to have overlooked is Genesis 3. Our Creator, the One to whom the Constitution correctly attributes our inalienable rights, also reveals the reality of universal depravity and sin.
What happens when unredeemed individuals, those still in bondage to sin (not to Christ our Creator), hold sway in government? Look around. The God our forefathers lauded for inalienable rights was ejected. Prayer and praise to the God of liberty and freedom became criminal. The masses, like Eve in Eden, readily surrender, via handout, what God's sovereignty and providence previously ordained. Corrupt and godless government seeks to supplant God Almighty as the provider of security, life, liberty, and happiness.
How's that been working out for us?
We are no longer a republic united as “one nation under God.” We ceased to be “indivisible” long ago. We are no longer about “liberty and justice for all.” True liberty and justice require the kind of recognition our forefathers gave to our Creator. True liberty and justice mean the diminished role of government and the elevated responsibility for individuals. It means the elimination of personal entitlement and consumption and upholding personal responsibility and contribution.
When we actively participate in our communities, then the people we've built, invested and sustained relationships with fill the gap. God ordained it to happen through authentic relationships with other people - not via government systems, programs, or subsidized handouts.
America is so full we need a puke bucket. We're certainly a nation that tramples honeycombs. We trample the honeycombs of law enforcement, our military, of education and educators, and the sweetest honeycombs - relationships with our Creator and one another.
The God we reject tells us in Scripture, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves." Yet our life's mantra is, "Whatever it takes to get to the top." We tell ourselves, "I'll become a philanthropist and humanitarian when I get there."
When a Republican is in office - Democrats look to the next election for a messianic figure. When a Democrat is in office - Republicans do the same. We eagerly expect someone to rescue us from the consequences of our autonomy, entitlement, selfishness, and independence. Yet, we simultaneously demand they give us exactly what we want how and when we want it. Sadly, we’re blind and ignorant to the fatal dichotomy of this mindset. Amazingly, we scoff and spit at the Giver but have the audacity to wonder why our nation is increasingly corrupt.
The "do-loop of insanity" is continually trying the same thing but expecting different results. I always tell my kids, "If what your doing isn't working - try something different." America started off with something that worked - faith in God. Along the way we jettisoned God but somehow thought we could keep His gifts of life, liberty, and freedom. Like thick-skulled and belligerent children, we're stuck in the "do-loop of insanity" trying variations of the same thing over and over and over again. Meanwhile, our freedom, liberty, and happiness rapidly wane and erode amid autonomous defiance.
The God we reject tells us in Scripture, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves." Yet our life's mantra is, "Whatever it takes to get to the top." We tell ourselves, "I'll become a philanthropist and humanitarian when I get there."
When a Republican is in office - Democrats look to the next election for a messianic figure. When a Democrat is in office - Republicans do the same. We eagerly expect someone to rescue us from the consequences of our autonomy, entitlement, selfishness, and independence. Yet, we simultaneously demand they give us exactly what we want how and when we want it. Sadly, we’re blind and ignorant to the fatal dichotomy of this mindset. Amazingly, we scoff and spit at the Giver but have the audacity to wonder why our nation is increasingly corrupt.
The "do-loop of insanity" is continually trying the same thing but expecting different results. I always tell my kids, "If what your doing isn't working - try something different." America started off with something that worked - faith in God. Along the way we jettisoned God but somehow thought we could keep His gifts of life, liberty, and freedom. Like thick-skulled and belligerent children, we're stuck in the "do-loop of insanity" trying variations of the same thing over and over and over again. Meanwhile, our freedom, liberty, and happiness rapidly wane and erode amid autonomous defiance.
There is no human system or ruler who could, can, or ever will fix the sinfulness of the human heart. The only One who can is our Creator. He already did at the cross of Calvary. He is the very One whom our country’s citizens and inhabitants largely reject, spur, shun, oppose, and deny. He is the One our forefathers heralded, adorned, and praised for life, liberty, and freedom - in Christ Jesus.
Lord God, redeem your Church. Help us adorn Your indivisible and altruistic love as Father, Son, and Spirit. Help us to be united in our unyielding praise and worship of You. Please give us a hunger for You alone. Allow us to seek and find satisfaction exclusively in You. Help us to know You, find you, and cease to trample the sweet honeycombs of Your relentless love and enduring presence.
-Amen.
Blessings,
-Kevin M. Kelley
aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com
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