Introduction: Nations
are most often
defined by the
type of
governments they
have, for the
type of
government
usually reflects
the nature of
the people of
that nation.
According to
Romans 13:1 government, has been established by God.
Here’s what
it says, “Let every
soul be subject to
the higher powers.
For there is
no power but of God:
the powers that be
are ordained of
God.”
Romans 13:3-4 give us the purpose of government, “For rulers are not
a terror to good
works, but to the
evil.
Wilt thou
then not be afraid
of the power?
Do that which
is good, and thou
shalt have praise of
the same:”
“For he is
the minister of God
to thee for good.
But if thou
do that which is
evil, be afraid; for
he beareth not the
sword in vain: for
he is the minister
of God, a revenger
to execute wrath
upon him that doeth
evil.”
In other words, God
has established
government to
execute justice
among the people.
As we choose
to govern ourselves,
or restrain the
natural tendencies
of the flesh to sin,
we require less
government control
of our personal
lives.
As we ease
the restrictions we
place on ourselves,
more government
control is required
to restrain our evil
tendencies in order
that justice may
reign.
With this in mind,
let’s look at some
of the types of
governments.
Types of
Governments
|
Governments
can be
classified
into
several
types.
Some of
the more
common
types of
governments
are:
|
1.
Democracy
|
The word
"democracy"
literally
means,
"rule by
the
people."
In a
democracy,
the
people
govern.
|
2.
Republic
|
|
A
literal
democracy
is
impossible
in a
political
system
containing
more
than a
few
people.
All
"democracies"
are
really
republics.
In a
republic,
the
people
elect
representatives
to make
and
enforce
laws.
|
3.
Monarchy
|
A
monarchy
consists
of rule
by a
king or
queen.
Sometimes
a king
is
called
an
"emperor,"
especially
if there
is a
large
empire,
such as
China
before
1911.
There
are no
large
monarchies
today.
The
United
Kingdom,
which
has a
queen,
is
really a
republic
because
the
queen
has
virtually
no
political
power.
|
4.
Aristocracy
|
An
aristocracy
is rule
by the
aristocrats.
Aristocrats
are
typically
wealthy,
educated
people.
Many
monarchies
have
really
been
ruled by
aristocrats.
Today,
typically,
the term
"aristocracy"
is used
negatively
to
accuse a
republic
of being
dominated
by rich
people,
such as
saying,
"The
United
States
has
become
an
aristocracy."
|
5.
Dictatorship
|
A
dictatorship
consists
of rule
by one
person
or a
group of
people.
Very few
dictators
admit
they are
dictators;
they
almost
always
claim to
be
leaders
of
democracies.
The
dictator
may be
one
person,
such as
Castro
in Cuba
or
Hitler
in
Germany,
or a
group of
people,
such as
the
Communist
Party in
China.
|
6.
Democratic
Republic
|
|
Usually,
a
"democratic
republic"
is not
democratic
and is
not a
republic.
A
government
that
officially
calls
itself a
"democratic
republic"
is
usually
a
dictatorship.
Communist
dictatorships
have
been
especially
prone to
use this
term.
For
example,
the
official
name of
North
Vietnam
was "The
Democratic
Republic
of
Vietnam."
China
uses a
variant,
"The
People's
Republic
of
China."
|
So then, a barbaric
people will most
often be governed by
a totalitarian type
government such as a
dictatorship; while
a righteous people
will often be
allowed to enjoy the
liberty of living
under a democratic
type of government.
Understanding the
nature of man and
the purpose of
government will help
us to understand the
observations we’re
about to make; and
to arrive at the
right conclusions
concerning our own
nation, America –
where it is headed,
why this is so, and
what must be done if
liberty is to be
kept.
Psalm 33:12a says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…”
What is the
significance of this
verse, more than
just being
rhetorical words
honoring the Lord?
Well, God is the
Designer and
Manufacturer of all
things, including
people; and of the
guidelines by which
they are intended to
operate.
Following the
Manufacturer’s
prescribed
guidelines of
operation will
ensure smooth,
efficient
interaction, with
the least friction
among operational
parts…in our case,
among people.
God has recorded His
guidelines in His
owner’s manual, the
Bible.
These guidelines are
the commandments (or
laws) and principles
contained in the
Bible.
As we read and study
these laws and
principles, and
choose to pattern
our personal
attitudes and
actions after them,
we require less
external governance,
because we have
chosen to govern
ourselves
internally; and can
be entrusted with
greater external
liberty.
If, however, we
choose to reject
these laws and
principles that were
designed for the
greater good of all;
and instead choose
to pursue a
self-centered
agenda, this will
always result in
harm to those around
us, and we will
require greater
external governance
in order to restrain
our sinful pursuits.
This abandonment of
biblical standards
of conduct will move
us toward a more
tyrannical type of
government and
nation.
All individuals and
nations have gods.
These gods
range from a false,
imaginary god such
as Allah, to
materialism, to
pleasure, to
leisure, to the real
one and only true
God.
The God/god that we
choose, then, will
determine the
lifestyle we pursue;
and, in turn, will
determine the type
government we will
operate under.
This is one of the
primary principles
of nation building.
But let’s
look at some of the
other observations
in our scripture
today.
- Psalm 33:14
informs us that
God observes all
peoples from His
place of
habitation.
None are
exempt from His
active
observation for
the purpose of
establishing His
purposes among
them.
- Psalm 33:15
informs us that
He fashions
their hearts
alike, and that
He considers
everyone’s
works.
No one
escapes God’s
scrutiny of the
way he conducts
himself.
This
applies to
individuals and
to nations.
- Psalm 33:16 -
19 inform us
of some common
mistakes leaders
and nations make
in trying to
protect and
preserve
themselves.
A.
Verse 16a lets
us know that there
is
no king that is
ever saved by the
number of his army,
or the number of his
subjects (size of
his labor force).
B.
It is not the size
of his military or
his work force that
protects him, or
delivers him from
his enemy or from
natural disasters.
C.
Verse 16b tells
us that a mighty man
is not delivered by
his power.
This would
apply to an
individual, or to a
leader with great
political power.
D.
His power to control
or influence is
limited, regardless
how great his power
may appear to be.
E.
Regardless how great
his power appears to
be, he is really
much more vulnerable
than his power would
seem to indicate.
F.
Verse 17 gives
us another common
mistake made by
leaders and nations.
G.
It says that safety
is not guaranteed by
a horse; or, in our
case, our equipment
or military
hardware.
H.
Verse 19 hints
at another vain
source that leaders
and nations often
depend upon for
protection:
“…to keep
them alive in
famine.” – natural
resources.
I.
America is a nation
rich in natural
resources.
We are
literally awash in
natural resources.
J.
We have great
sources of fresh
water – rivers,
streams, and lakes.
K.
We have vast rich
farmlands to produce
crops and livestock.
L.
We have vast mineral
reserves such as
natural gas, oil,
and coal.
M.
We have woodlands
and mountains.
N.
We are
bordered on the east
and on the west by
the Atlantic and
Pacific oceans,
giving us great
natural defenses
against attack by
our enemies.
O.
Yet, these cannot
“…keep them [us]
alive in famine.”
P.
So, some of the
resources that
leaders and nations
commonly rely on for
defense and
deliverance are:
vast
militaries, vast
labor forces,
political power,
equipment or
military arms, and
natural resources.
Q.
We’re told, though,
that all of these
resources are
unreliable when it
comes to defending
ourselves; or
delivering ourselves
from enemies, or
from famine or
pestilence.
- Verse 20
gives us the One
and only
true Source of
deliverance and
defense (help
and safety) that
we can rely on –
God.
- Verse 21
tells us that we
will rejoice in
the Lord; not
just in His
presence; but
also in the
protection and
preservation He
provides for
those who choose
to place their
trust in
Him instead
of
the resources
He provides.
- Verse 22
informs us that
God’s mercy to
protect,
provide, and
preserve us is
apportioned to
us according as
(in proportion
to the degree)
we hope in Him.
In nation building a
people must choose
the core code or
creed that will form
the foundational
basis of their
purpose and course.
In establishing
their code or creed,
they have, in fact,
established their
God/god.
A code of conduct
cannot be detached
from the God/god
Whose/whose
authority
establishes it.
Establishing the
code or creed to
which all agree to
be adherents, will
then often determine
which form of
government a people
will operate under.
The more personal
license the
individuals take;
the greater degree
of tyranny they
require in order to
restrain their
personal ambitions,
so that the greater
good can be
achieved.
Thus, a licentious
people will usually
be governed by some
form of tyrannical
government, such as
a monarchy or
dictatorship.
When a people
refuses to select a
common code or creed
unto which all
become adherents,
they must of
necessity be
governed by strict
tyranny because of
their refusal to
commit themselves to
any
self-governance.
Choosing the true
God to be God in our
nation, or in any
nation, will do two
important things:
- It will cause us to adopt His commandments and
principles as
our code of
conduct.
- It will secure His personal protection, provision, and
preservation.
First, the commandments and principles of God in the Bible have been
designed to promote
justice and blessing
to every individual,
regardless of
station or status.
Adopting
these commandments
and principles,
causes a nation to
have a built in
system of equity and
justice.
Second, when we commit ourselves to be bound by them, God Himself
adds His personal
divine protection,
provision, and
preservation to us.
When we choose Him
as our Authority, He
adds His benefits as
well.
But what about
religious pluralism
and multiculturalism
that we hear so much
about today; how
does that work?
Religious Pluralism – def. a term used to describe the acceptance of all religious paths as equally
valid, promoting
coexistence
Multiculturalism – def.
multiculturalism
advocates a society
that extends
equitable status to
distinct cultural
and religious
groups, with no one
culture
predominating.
Notice the terms “equally valid” and ‘equitable status’.
These terms mean that people with opposing and competing religious beliefs
and cultural
practices, must not
only be granted
equal status
themselves, but that
equal status and
validity must also
be granted to their
religious beliefs
and cultural
practices.
This, of course, is not a feasible philosophy to adopt if national
cohesiveness is
sought.
It would,
instead, splinter
the nation into
multiple factions,
with each one vying
for control.
Competing people groups within a nation, being granted equal status and
validity, will never
peacefully coexist.
They will
continue to compete
for dominance until
one wins.
Now, let’s talk about America!
When the founders of
America chose in her
establishment, to
become a nation
governed by the laws
of God, a common
code was established
to which all have
agreed to adhere.
Henry Blackstone in
the Blackstone
Commentary on law,
speaking of God
stated,
“For he has
so intimately
connected, so
inseparably
interwoven the laws
of eternal justice
with the happiness
of each individual,
that the latter
cannot be attained
but by observing the
former; and, if the
former be punctually
obeyed, it cannot
but induce the
latter.”
The second paragraph of The Declaration of
Independence
reflects this very
principle in
America’s founding
document.
Here’s how it
begins:
“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…”
Thus, America was
established on the
common commitment of
its people to be
governed by “…the
Laws of Nature and
of Nature’s God…”
(Declaration of
Independence)
Choosing then, the
Bible as the
authority by which
our laws would be
fashioned; and the
God of the Bible as
the Authority to
which we as a people
would submit,
America chose the
true God as her God.
All who came to her
shores to be
participants in this
great experiment of
“…government of the
people, by the
people, for the
people…” (Gettysburg
Address – President
Abraham Lincoln),
regardless of their
religious
affiliation, agreed
to be governed by
the laws enacted by
the government of
the United States
that were based in
and upon “…the Laws
of Nature and of
Nature’s God…”
(Declaration of
Independence)
To the degree they
adhered to this
code, America grew
stronger and
stronger, and
greater and greater
as a people
submitted to the
governance of the
one true God, though
individuals may have
differed in their
religious
adherences.
But, when personal
liberty bounded by
the laws of God
begins to be
rejected for
personal liberty
outside the bounds
of the laws of God;
or, when the laws of
God are diminished
to equal status with
the laws of
competing gods; the
glue of common
devotion to a single
core creed is
splintered, and the
foundational
underpinnings of a
nation begin to
crumble.
Such is the case
with America today.
When personal
liberty and license
is elevated above
the common good,
anarchy is
established.
The only
antidote for anarchy
is increased
governmental
control; in other
words, a move toward
totalitarianism.
John Adams wrote: “…
Because we have no
government armed
with power capable
of contending with
human passions
unbridled by
morality and
religion. Avarice,
ambition, revenge or
gallantry, would
break the strongest
cords of our
Constitution as a
whale goes through a
net. Our
Constitution was
made only for a
moral and religious
people. It is wholly
inadequate to the
government of any
other.”
Sadly, America is
much farther along
the course to
tyranny than almost
anyone is aware of
or willing to admit.
Sadly, she is
willingly giving
herself to tyranny.
Thinking she
is achieving
greater personal
liberty, she is in
fact, well on the
way to losing
all personal
liberty.
As self-governance
(personal restraint)
dissipates, greater
external governance
is required; meaning
greater governmental
control is on the
way.
Likewise, as
competing religions
(including atheism)
demand equal status
and validity with
America’s God and
America’s law, and
if America
capitulates to their
demands, she will be
departing from the
true God, and will
eventually be
subjugated by men
who serve idols.
America is a nation made up of people from diverse backgrounds, and with
diverse religious
beliefs and
practices.
What about those who
hold opposing or
competing religious
views; who say they
just cannot accept
living by the laws
of America and
America’s God; and
who demand that
America accept their
creed and god as
equally valid with
equal status?
While reasonable accommodations are being made for minority religions,
America must not
allow her core code
and creed to be
diminished and
relegated to equal
status and validity
with competing
religions.
In other words, America must not allow her God to be relegated to equal
status with…say,
Allah.
If this happens, and it appears that it is, then accommodation will lead to
capitulation which
will lead to
subjugation.
Let them find or
start a nation with
laws they agree
with; but do not
allow them to cause
us to surrender our
national standard to
theirs.
Is there hope for
America?
What is the
solution to what is
happening in America
today?
Since a nation’s
only source of
blessing,
protection,
provision, and
preservation is a
common commitment to
submit to the
authority of the one
and only true God
Who expresses His
will in the
commandments and
principles of His
Book, the Bible,
America’s only hope
is to return enmasse
to the true and
living God as her
God.
This then, requires
a spiritual solution
because the problem
is, at its root, a
spiritual problem.
We will not have a
political or social
solution to this
problem.
It will only be when
Christians in
America realize the
height from which
they have fallen in
their devotion to
God, and repent, and
return to faithful
allegiance to Him
and to His Word,
that America, as a
people, will be able
to see the way back
from the brink of
tyranny.
We Christians then,
as personal
representatives of
God Almighty, who
alone are capable of
seeing the danger
and understanding
the solution, must
step up to the
rescue of our nation
by personally
repenting of our sin
and backsliding; and
then return to doing
the first works;
lest our nation slip
into unrecoverable
loss of liberty…lest
our nation of
freedom become a
nation governed by
oppression.
II Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people, which are called by my name,
shall 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.”
Satan is actively
involved in
silencing the voice
of opposition to
what
he is trying to
accomplish. That’s
why socialists and
social engineers
have been given
overwhelming control
of our elected
national offices and
persecution against
Christians and
Christian voices has
been on a dramatic
rise.
Sadly, “You ain’t
seen nothin’ yet.”
These radical social
engineers are
rapidly transforming
our once free and
great society into
one that is the
antithesis of what
our founding fathers
envisioned and
established.
By slick
rhetoric and lies
they deceive the
hearts of the simple
into remaining
silent, and even
into continuing to
vote them back into
office.
But again, we will
not win this war in
the courts, or even
in the Congress or
the White House.
It can only
be won in the hearts
of men and women by
a spiritual renewal,
spurred by a genuine
national revival
among those who
genuinely belong to
the God of the
Bible.
So, the question to
each American, and
especially the
Christian American,
is to what degree
are you willing to
see your country
destroyed; to see
your children grow
up without the
freedom that you
have enjoyed; just
in order to hold on
to the personal sin
you protect?
Will you repent of
your personal
dereliction of duty
to God and to your
country; and will
you return to the
God you have slowly
but surely
abandoned, and
re-surrender your
will to His right
now?