Freedom in Christ part 9

Freedom in Christ lesson 9

 

Part 5: To secure these rights: Economics, religion, and character.

 

How does God secure our liberty? Support of doctrine in local assemblies that teach the no-nonsense truth of His word.

 

Support of doctrine: God blesses certain local churches who teach the truth of the word of God for the sole purpose of the spiritual growth of the members and the communication of the gospel and all without cost.

 

REV 3:7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this:

 

REV 3:8 'I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

 

Phil 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

 

PHI 1:27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

 

PHI 1:28 in no way alarmed by your opponents —  which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.

 

PHI 1:29 For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

 

PHI 1:30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

 

The founders understood that the government must protect freedom in religion, economics, and to enact laws that fostered character and morality. We will see how God does the same for the Church and each individual believer.

 

The founders took pride in their establishment of religious liberty. Prior to 1776 the prevailing view was that government should forbid or discourage any religious opinions or actions that were not in conformity with the religion approved by government. In 1774 Baptists were being jailed in VA for not practicing with a license. In CT people were being fined for the same crime. 

 

To the founders religious liberty meant not only that all persons may worship God in the way they think best, but also to be able to follow what they believe to be God's laws in their daily lives outside of church. Close a business on Sunday or sacrifice an animal or drink wine in a ceremony. But religious liberty has limits. The first amendment says "Free exercise thereof" [of religion," however the founders also understood, "And no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained ... for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; of for his religious profession or sentiments; provided he doth not disturb the public peace..." [A Declaration of the Rights of the Inhabitants of the Commonwealth of MA, 1780]

 

Today: Muslim advocacy of violence is not a religious right - no one has a right to perform the religious rights of human sacrifice, or murder. Laws that protect person and property cannot be violated in the practice of any religion.

 

In the early states there were some exceptions allowed, as in Quakers not fighting for their country. Washington wrote a letter to them in which he was being polite but firm in implying that this refusal to fight is not justified to the right of religious liberty. "... that (except their declining to share with others the burden of the common defense) there is no denomination among us, who are more exemplary and useful citizens." [Letter of the Annual meeting of Quakers George Washington, 1789]

 

So we must ask ourselves why laws are given at all. The Declaration of Independence answers that question clearly, "to secure these rights." Laws must secure natural rights which bring about a "social compact" - all will obey the laws that are established to secure the equal natural rights of all. The survival of the community, protection of property and seeking happiness might depend on fighting a foreign foe. Washington went on in his letter to the Quakers..."I assure you very explicitly, that in my opinion the conscientious scruples of all men should be treated with great delicacy and tenderness; and it is my wish and desire, that the laws may always be as extensively accommodated to them, as a due regard to the protection and essential interest of the nation may justify and permit." Unlike the Quakers, the Jews had no problem with fighting in the armed forces, and so Washington speaks of them more acceptingly in this regard, in his letter to the Jews in Newport, RI, than he does of the Quakers who are his fellow Christians.

 

Government has a certain duty to refrain from acting against religious liberty but how does government protect it? By means of national defense (feds) and enforcement of criminal law (state governments). Religious liberty is more often infringed upon by government failure to act. For instance, today in the Middle East Christianity has almost been eliminated by unpunished criminality while the governments in those regions stand by and watch.

 

Government support of religion.Tax payer funded religions were accepted in New England, but not in the south. Jefferson was against public funding of certain religions and also wrote, "And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath?" [Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 18, 1784]

 

The founders believed that the government has a real motive in promoting sensible religious opinion (those who support the laws of nature - laws of divine establishment). Jefferson supported major religions as promoting public morals. Congress followed this in the Northwest Ordinance - Article I: No person, demeaning himself in a peaceable and orderly manner, shall ever be molested on account of his mode of worship, or religious sentiments, in said territories.

 

The question begs, does government support of religion violate religious liberty? Many today would say yes, but the founders said no. When government supports religion, no one is being punished for their religious opinions. One may not approve of the religious opinions that the government promotes, but you may not also approve of Jefferson's curriculum at the University of Virginia. My rights are not violated when government uses tax payer money to support something that they think are promoting the security of natural rights.

 

In like manner, God supports the individual believer no matter who they are. All may come, no matter what.

 

COL 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,

 

COL 3:10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him

 

COL 3:11 — a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

 

GAL 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

 

GAL 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

GAL 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

 

The new believer may come and expect not to be ridiculed or bullied by those who have been in the church for years. The babes in Christ are to be accepted just as much as the most mature and should expect not to be made to feel inferior. Parts of the message are geared towards the young in Christ and the mature listen joyfully to what they already know, knowing that someone may be hearing it for the first or second time.

 

ROM 15:1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.

 

ROM 15:2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.

 

ROM 15:3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached Thee fell upon Me."

 

Property and Economics:Government protects the means of acquiring and possessing property. Property rights will benefit the poor and the rich. The conflict between the haves and have not's is unavoidable. How does one avoid the inability for the have not's to acquire and possess property? The answer is an economic one.

 

Three of the founder’s principles:

1. Natural right to private property. Government must defend this right as well as the right to use it as one pleases.

2. Free markets.

3. Stable money.

 

1. Breakdown: Natural right to private property.

 

a. Ownership must be defined clearly. There must be clear title, mortgage, title insurance, confidence in continued possession, and collateral. This is actually very rare in other parts of the world where ownership is often determined by who occupies it or who occupies the government.

 

It is made clear through the grace gospel so that a person can confidently identify themselves as a believer who is saved forever, or a Christian. This is clear title.

 

Every believer is the property of Jesus Christ, and since He occupies the highest seat of authority. This is clear title.

 

None of His enemies can snatch a believer from His grasp, for those enemies will all be made a footstool for His feet.

 

2TI 2:19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness."

 

No creature can take you away from Him as land could be taken from someone in a country without laws concerning clear title and free markets.

 

JOH 10:27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;

 

JOH 10:28 and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.

 

JOH 10:29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

 

JOH 10:30 "I and the Father are one."

 

b. There must be few restrictions on use. An owner should be able to use his land as he pleases as long as he doesn't violate the same right in another.

 

Each believer is unique and possesses a unique gift and a unique ministry to use according to his own self-determination from his own understanding of the plan of God.

 

He is not to church hop but can determine for himself his right pastor teacher and therefore, local church. He may listen and not serve in the local assembly as long as he wants as he waits for the Spirit to lead him into service. He is not to be guilted into any service or giving and if he is he has the liberty to leave and find another PT.

 

c. There must be widespread ownership. Proper laws and free markets would give an end result where many people own land rather than just a few.

 

There is a tremendous variety of individuals in the body of Christ and each spiritual gift is given to a wide variety of personalities from a wide variety of backgrounds.

 

Christians come in all backgrounds, personality types, economic or social status, sizes, colors, etc. for all are welcome at the Father's table through the work of Christ on behalf of ever man.

 

d. There must be protection of property owners against foreign and domestic threats.

 

God promises to protect the believer and to take vengeance upon those who hurt the believer.

 

ROM 12:19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

 

e. Protect owners from harm from the government. Today the government is given wide leeway to take property, search of private property, regulatory inspection, freezing assets, etc. These are all in violation of the Constitution and the form of government that the founders envisioned.

 

All believers are completely protected from the wrath of God forever and are under the same grace of God forever.

 

1TH 5:9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

1TH 5:10 who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.

 

1TH 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

 

No one can lose their salvation and all of the faith are eternally secure.

 

JOH 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

 

We do not ever have to fear that God will change His mind toward us or ever stop the flow or grace, which no amount of sin or evil could ever halt its tide.

 

ROM 5:17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

 

God provides the freedom for each believer to exercise their particular ministry in the way that they choose, provided they do not violate the law of Christ. They are not to violate the privacy of others, force themselves on others, if in the local church they are under the authority of the PT, etc. but no two ministries are identical.

 

2. Free markets: Those must be able to exchange what they produce for the production of others. The markets must be secured so that anyone can sell anything to anyone else at any price. Contracts must be defined and enforced, and there must be equal access to transportation.