Freedom; You Choose (Galatians 5:1-8)
Gary McManus, 07/03/2016Part of the Words that Divide, Words that Unite series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
July 3, 2016 Galatians 5:1-8
In ANY discussion of Christians and government,
TWO sections of the New Testament must be considered:
Romans 13:1: “Let everyone be subject to the governing
authorities, for there is no authority except that which God
has established. The authorities that exist have been
established by God.”
But also Acts 5:29: ““We must obey God rather than
human beings!”
This discussion went on even BEFORE the American
Revolution began. In 1776, should Christians obey the
British authorities or should Christians obey the freedom
that is God given and mandated beyond any human agency?
And the discussion has continued into the present day.
The short answer is this: God has ordained authorities/authority but God has NOT ordained any particular person or government.
God knows that government is necessary and there should be a government. However, there are limits to governing authorities if those authorities require violation of God’s commandments.
Clearly throughout American history, a history of protest and
revolt, Americans have felt a God given call for freedoms. These freedoms were unalienable rights which people were (in Thomas Jefferson’s words) “endowed” with by (the) Creator.
Today’s message will cover a colonial “American” interpretation of Christian freedom and governments responsibility for those freedoms.
The Founding Fathers (as the old joke goes. . .)
. . .do you know any?
Americans have argued about the Founding Fathers.
[the fight for Princeton Battlefield:
http://www.campaign1776.org/take-action/speak-out
/princeton/ or simply type in www.campaign1776.org ]
Were MOST of the signers of the Declaration of Independence
ORDAINED clergy?
Short answer: no
But what did those Christians back then think about
their freedom? How did they read our Bible?
Virginia Colony government=House of Burgesses
Many Revolutionary War clergy argued that the
war against Britain was approved by God.
--Rev. Abraham Keteltas
--Rev. Jonathan Witherspoon
--Rev. Peter Muhlenberg
--Rev James Caldwell
How did these Pastors read YOUR Bible?
The rest of today’s message is from a book review
by Robert Tracy McKenzie (web link below)
See Exodus 14-15, Romans 13, Galatians 5:1.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand fast.
Amen.
Additional sources:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013
/july-web-only/preaching-liberty-to-colonists.html?start=2
by Robert Tracy McKenzie
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/rel03.html#obj082
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