Thomas Paine wrote; “Freedom hath been hunted round the globe. Asia and Africa have long expelled her. Europe regards her like a stranger, and England hath given her warning to depart.” What would he say about freedom in this the United States of America, if he were here to comment?
The Constitution and the Declaration of Independence contain statements that the general principles and provisions of both documents contain the idea and truth that men must not usurp God’s authority and these two documents explain the Creators declared inalienable rights, which no man or group of men has the right to interfere with.
The theme of both documents give negative tones of Keep Hands Off. Men will check, argue, and debate over the affairs of men but God alone is the Judge. Our founding fathers had faith in him and in He alone have we placed our trust, “In God we Trust.”
God, alone, is the judge of mankind. We live in the nation where all men (people) are equal. Men must be free individually or collectively to make their own choices, no matter how bad, because this is the law of Liberty. The final judge of man is God.
Tertullian reminded the Roman clergy on one occasion. “When Christ returns in glory, it will be to preside at the judgment seat but while he was in the flesh he said, ‘I judge no man.’ Judgment is mine saith the Lord I will repay.” God has not delegated to any man or intuition the function which he has reserved to himself to exercise at an appointed time and place.
Our courts, judges, men and women on juries, judge based on written laws mostly construed by men … We must uphold the final judgment of God and it will be a true judgment based upon His laws, written before the world was populated.
What is important about a man? It is what he thinks and how he interacts, gives and takes with the thoughts and ideas of others; last of all come the busy preoccupations of the organism, its bodily and social functions. It is in these first two areas the despots of the past and present have sought to do most of their effective work.
The Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law…..” Amendment number 1 proclaims in all purity of the ancient Law of Liberty. Which law gives the right to be free to choose God and worship him accordingly to the dictates of our own conscience
Credits: Hugh Nibley – BYU
