Government Must Submit to the Laws of God! – Sir William Blackstone
Man, considered as a creature, must necessarily be subject to the laws of his creator, for he is entirely a dependent being. A being, independent of any other, has no rule to pursue, but such as he prescribes to himself; but a state of dependence will inevitably oblige the inferior to take the will of him, on whom, he depends, as the rule of his conduct: not indeed in every particular, but in all those points wherein his dependence consists. This principle therefore has more or less extent and effect, in proportion as the superiority of the one and the dependence of the other is greater or less, absolute or limited. And consequently as man depends absolutely upon his maker for everything, it is necessary that he should in all points conform to his maker’s will.
Sir William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England in Four Books, vol. 1 [1753]; SECTION II.: OF THE NATURE OF LAWS IN GENERAL
Repentance: The First Word of the Gospel
Repentance is required of entire nations! Just as the corporate sin of every entity [family, church, community, business, etc.] demands corporate repentance, so national sin demands national repentance. The national sins of which I speak are the gross sins that defile the whole land, making the nation guilty before God. They are the sins that result in the loss of at least some of God’s sovereign mercies and in the display of at least some of His righteous judgments. Several things must be said concerning these sins.
First, they are, as stated, national sins – sins that defile the whole land. The general population is corrupted by them. This was true in Sodom, where God could not find even ten righteous people. This was often true of Israel. Isaiah described a particular time saying,
“The whole head is sick, and the whole heart is faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head there is nothing sound in it, only bruises, welts, and raw wounds, not pressed out or bandaged, nor softened with oil. Your land is desolate… Unless the LORD of hosts had left us a few survivors, we would be like Sodom, we would be like Gomorrah” (Isaiah 1:5-7, 9).
Second, they are by their very nature sins that, if left in place, are not only grossly evil but also corrupting. They contaminate everything around them. Jesus warned against the leaven of the Pharisees. We often find that one bad piece of fruit spoils many around it. Any sin, left in place, will corrupt things around it.
Third, the leaders of the people are themselves sufficiently contaminated by sin that they make no serious effort to suppress it. Indeed, at a time when national repentance is urgently needed, it is not uncommon for leaders to alter long-standing laws to accommodate gross iniquities, rather than to repent themselves and to call others to do the same. We have seen this happen in recent years when our politicians have changed long-standing laws affecting abortion, usury, homosexuality, fornication, and adultery. At such a time, it is also common for leaders to grow lax in enforcing the laws that remain, sometimes because they themselves selves are guilty of gross violations.
Fourth, the nature of the sins themselves, and the degree to which they are happily entertained by both leaders and the masses of the people, may profoundly affect the churches. Rather than the churches altering the world for good, the world will alter the church for evil. The nominally religious are readily drawn into the web of iniquity, and eventually it is only with considerable difficulty that the church can be distinguished from the world.
Fifth, the prevalence of sin is so great that some of the remnant of faithful believers who remain are gripped by a spirit of pessimism and do little more than sit quietly by, hoping for an end-time deliverance.
Sixth, sin so profoundly impacts the nation that the few servants of God who speak out against it seem to have the ear of but a handful. They are generally treated, even by religious people, as foolish and unprofessional extremists.
Seventh, man’s extremity is still God’s opportunity. At the very moment when sin appears to have fully triumphed, the Lord may gift the nation with repentance and faith. It is wise and necessary to observe that nations are rarely ever destroyed before they have first been clearly warned of their sins and of the pending judgment of God, and second, have rebelliously refused to repent. As dark as the present hour appears, it is both refreshing and encouraging to realize that the voices of the true prophets of the living God have not yet been raised to such a level that the nations have heard the word of the Lord and have deliberately refused to repent. Thus far, most of the voices that have been heard have sounded a very uncertain note. No wonder national repentance has not occurred. The English-speaking speaking world, in particular, desperately needs to hear the clarion call to national repentance. Until it does, there is hope even for the Western world
(Richard Owen Roberts, Repentance: The First Word of the Gospel, pp. 283-292; 2002).
When All Else Fails; Pray!
This was the wisdom of Benjamin Franklin as to a solution when the representatives of the Constitutional convention could not come to agreement. The large states wanted representation based on population but the smaller states felt that each state should only have one vote. Then on Thursday, June 28, 1787, Mr. Franklin offered the following solution. He said:
Mr. President
The small progress we have made after 4 or five weeks close attendance & continual reasonings with each other-our different sentiments on almost every question, several of the last producing as many noes as ays, is methinks a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the Human Understanding. We indeed seem to feel our own want of political wisdom, since we have been running about in search of it. We have gone back to ancient history for models of Government, and examined the different forms of those Republics which having been formed with the seeds of their own dissolution now no longer exist. And we have viewed Modern States all round Europe, but find none of their Constitutions suitable to our circumstances.
In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the Contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection.- Our prayers, Sir, were heard, & they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending providence in our favor.
I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?
To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? or do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that “except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by Human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest.
I therefore beg leave to move-that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that Service.
Mr. SHARMAN seconded the motion.
We Speak To God In Prayers For Our Leaders
We The People Must Pray For Our Leaders!
(KJV 1900) Pr 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: But sin is a reproach to any people.
Therefore, We The People must pray for our leaders so that they will make righteous judgments. The favor of the Lord will then be upon us, and our land will truly be a blessed land.
Unfortunately, our political leaders, as well as all those in authority, are being brutally attacked and victimized by an unseen force. A force that knows that if the head is struck, the rest of the body will fall. A force that knows that even if you just injure the head the body will not function as well as it should. A force that also knows that by simply influencing the head you can easily manipulate and control the body.
Our leaders are mostly ignorant of this attack because this attack is not an attack in the natural. It is an attack from the spiritual realm. It is the realm that is largely ignored or even denied to exist. God’s word tells us,
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
These spiritual forces are led by the same one that misled Eve in the garden. He affected her thinking, her command center, and ultimately she fell to his wishes.
The same is true today but his focus of attack is not only our minds as individuals but the minds of our leaders of government. They attack them to cause them to create legislation to control our society and affect how we live.
Our political leaders are being assaulted by those that are merely seeking or serving for the love of money. How is it that so many public servants become richer than the average citizen? Is it not because of the lure of money that many sell their very souls?
Therefore, our God tells us
1 Ti 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
How can anyone come to know the truth that will make them free if our Government makes laws that hinder our ability to witness the truth to them? How can We The People obtain the favor of God if our government passes laws that declare what God says is sin, is acceptable? Or worse, pass laws that punish those who live according to the righteousness of God as transgressors. Our God tells us
(KJV 1900) Is 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; That put darkness for light, and light for darkness; That put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Today our government and many governments do just that. We pass laws that make the murder of unborn children acceptable. We also passed laws that violate God’s original intention for marriage and then declare that those who submit to the written word of the Bible are narrow minded. Unfortunately, many of our leaders today have not heard enough of the truth from the Pulpits. Therefore, they pass laws contrary to the laws of God and the founding principles of this nation.
How do we correct our current course? What are we to do? Psalm 11 tells us to call on our Lord. He still reigns on His throne!
(KJV 1900) Ps 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, What can the righteous do? 4 The LORD is in his holy temple, The LORD’s throne is in heaven: His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men. 5 The LORD trieth the righteous: But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. 6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, And an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. 7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; His countenance doth behold the upright.
Therefore, he urges us to pray and tells us we will have victory! We must become men and women who will stand in the gap and pray for our land! Our Lord said to us….
2 Ch 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
It is time, We The People, unite for the common good, repent of our failure to stand for righteousness and pray together for the Lord to bestow his favor upon our land again.
Pr 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.
Therefore, let us not become discouraged with the things we see but let us call upon the Lord.
Ps 22:28 for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.
Da 2:20 and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. 23 I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
Pr 11:4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
So many of our political leaders become rich in the position of being servants to the people. We The People must pray that they come to understand that righteousness is far better than riches.
Dan 9:18 Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.
We The People must stand together and call on his name!
Job 12:23 He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them. 24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason; he sends them wandering through a trackless waste. 25 They grope in darkness with no light; he makes them stagger like drunkards.
My friend,
Ps 127:1 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
We live in a serious time. We The People, must now raise up a nation of warriors who will unite and pray for our land because the world is coming together to resist the truth of the word of God. We must not wait another day!
Ps 2:1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. 3 “Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters.” 4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. …10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Now, join with us as a Gatekeeper Intercessor and let us pray that our leaders recognize the true truth that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom!
Become a Gatekeeper Intercessor
George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
Note the President Washington says four things he believes all nations should do:
1) Acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, 2) Obey his will, 3) Be grateful for his benefits and 4) Implore his protection and favor.
Have we forgotten those things?
Ronald Reagan on the Bible
Of the many influences that have shaped the United States of America into a distinctive Nation and people, none may be said to be more fundamental and enduring than the Bible.
Deep religious beliefs stemming from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible inspired many of the early settlers of our country, providing them with the strength, character, convictions, and faith necessary to withstand great hardship and danger in this new and rugged land. These shared beliefs helped forge a sense of common purpose among the widely dispersed colonies—a sense of community which laid the foundation for the spirit of nationhood that was to develop in later decades.
The Bible and its teachings helped form the basis for the Founding Fathers’ abiding belief in the inalienable rights of the individual, rights which they found implicit in the Bible’s teachings of the inherent worth and dignity of each individual. This same sense of man patterned the convictions of those who framed the English system of law inherited by our own Nation, as well as the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Abraham Lincoln on the Bible
Upon receiving a Bible from several African-American churches in Baltimore in 1864, he had these words to say:
It is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man’s welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it.
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