Before throwing off a government there are a few things you should sincerely consider. (The quotes below are from the Declaration of Independence as examples for your consideration.)
1. God created us and defines rights (Romans 3:4; Romans 3:26; Romans 5:12).
“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.”
2. Government is needed. God ordained governments (Romans 13:1).
“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men…”
3. Be sober. Resistance to powers God ordained has consequences (Romans 13:2).
“Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes…”
4. Do no evil. Rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. (Romans 13:3).
“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations… a history of repeated injuries … To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.”
5. Don’t be first to draw the sword. They bear the sword to revenge and execute wrath upon the evil doer (Romans 13:4).
“He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.”
6. Check your motives. You answer to God. Be subject for conscience sake (Romans 13:5).
“We … appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, … declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.”
7. The end does not justify the means. Act honorably. Render therefore to all their dues (Romans 13:7).
“In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms …”
“…And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
8. Do not put off a government and replace it with nothing. Put on Christ (Romans 13:14).
“… it is the mutual duty of all to practise Christian forbearance, love, and charity toward each other.”
This last quote came from the Virginia Declaration of Rights Section 16, which was adopted a month before the Declaration of Independence and greatly influenced the Bill of Rights. The Declaration of Independence does not mention the Lord Jesus Christ, and that is where it fell short.
“where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17
Until there is a nation of men all filled with the Spirit, liberty will be quickly corrupted and hard to keep. One day that nation will exist on this planet. It will be named Israel. Christ will be its king. At that time the whole world will be full of the knowledge of the Lord and his liberty.
Remember the true source of liberty as you celebrate one of the greatest declarations on liberty1 outside of scripture this 4th of July.
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” – Galatians 5:1
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1 Many of these greatest documents on liberty are very short reads and worth your time. The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration can be found online at the National Archives website. Another great short booklet on liberty is Frederic Bastiat’s The Law. It is free online. Bastiat described liberty as “an act of faith in God and in His work.”
Article Index Published: July 4, 2020
Last Modified: July 4, 2020