"Our dangers are of two kinds, those which affect our religion, and those which affect our government. They are, however, so closely allied that they cannot, with propriety, be separated.
The foundations which support the interest of Christianity, are also necessary to support a free and equal government like our own. . .
To the kindly influence of Christianity, we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political and social happiness which mankind now enjoys.
In proportion as the genuine effects of Christianity are diminished in any nation, either through unbelief or the corruption of its doctrine, or the neglect of its institutions, in the same proportion will the people of that nation recede from the blessings of genuine freedom. And approximate the miseries of complete despotism.
I hold this to be a truth confirmed by experience.
If so, it follows, that efforts made to destroy the foundations of our holy religion, ultimately tend to the subversion also of our political freedom and happiness.
Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all the blessings which flow from them, must fall with them.”
These words were penned by Jedidiah Morse (the father of Samuel Morse who invented the telegraph) in 1799. He was concerned by how far the Boston clergy had moved away from the Pilgrim commitment to learn the Bible and Biblical doctrine.
We are a Christian nation, and we need to stand on this foundation if we are to keep our freedoms.
As John Winthrop, the first governor of Mass. Bay stated:
“For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw his present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world.”
If we are to remain a great nation, we need to keep our foundations in place. The rest of the world is watching and putting their hopes on the soul of America.
During the 13th session of The United Nations General Assembly in 1959 Charles Malik, ambassador from Lebanon and president of the session stated:
“The good [in the United States] would never have come into being without the blessing and power of Jesus Christ….
Whoever tries to conceive the American word without taking full account of the suffering and love and salvation of Christ is only dreaming.
I know how embarrassing this matter is to politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen, and cynics; but whatever these honored men think, the irrefutable truth is that the soul of America is, at its best and highest, Christian.”
Christianity and the way we are governed go hand in hand. If we are to remove Christian principles from the way we are governed, our liberties and freedoms will be at risk.
In 1781 Thomas Jefferson made this statement which is engraved on the Jefferson memorial in Washington D.C.:
“God who gave us life gave us liberty.
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?
Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; That His justice cannot sleep forever.”
Are we willing to stand up for our freedoms and liberties and keep the foundations of Christianity as the cornerstone of our great nation?
What price are we willing to pay to remain the freest nation in the history of the earth?
In the words of Patrick Henry:
“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?
Forbid it, Almighty God!
I know not what course others may take but as for me; give me liberty or give me death.”
It is time for us fellow Christians to rededicate the church to the foundations Christianity and our country were founded on. Let us keep the covenant that we will follow God and Biblical law which will lead us to true freedom.
“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ's perseverance.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5)