Our Fathers Understood The Truth, Do We?

Ken in Iowa · January 15, 2001, 05:52 AM

Great reading, we need to take this to heart. Ken

The purpose of this article is emphasizing the fact that our founding Fathers truly understood the concepts of mercy and grace related to bondage and freedom, and founded our system for liberty upon those Christian principles. Deb

Greetings to all,

Even though it seems that the election of 2000 is now settled, keep eyes and ears open, and prayers flowing. Our real work, to restore our dignity in this nation, has just begun and there is much to be done.

There is so much valuable information available, that one can spend hours,daily, pouring over it all. There are many, many issues which need our attention. However, there comes a point, for me, that I must reflect, condense, and obtain the bottom line. In the light of Election 2000 overlapping the Christmas season and the beginning of a new millennium, and all the controversy about George W's conservative appointees -- I have come to the conclusion that the bottom line is about: The Bigger Picture. But, then again, isn't it usually?

The activities of the last closing months (the election controversy, the last minute executive orders, the last minute pardons, and all the "left wing" and "right wing" hoopla) of the year 2000, and the beginning of the year 2001 are really about the bigger picture of what has been happening in our nation over the past eight years. The bigger picture actually goes back much further, than the last eight years, or even 70 years, but the last eight years have been significantly destructive, and we are paying the price for the apathy which we have allowed to oppress our nation.

The bigger picture is also about what will happen, in our nation, in the next two, four, and six years. The bigger picture is about cause and effect; choices made and price paid. The bottom line is derived from the bigger picture and is at the root of all the numerous issues which need our attention. Issues such as domestic and foreign policy, the UN, the EU, NATO, our military, our sovereignty, taxes, trade, The Federal Reserve, CAFR (comprehensive annual financial report), Goals 2000, Character Education, government programs, 501C3, our senior citizens, health care, our Constitution, our heritage, our freedom, and our liberty. The bigger picture is about WE the People, and what we choose, individually and collectively. The bottom line is the price we pay for the choices we make.

It's very simple how Life works: for every choice you make there is a price to pay -- and as much as we may not like it -- each choice either brings life or death to something. Oh, I know, it's not comfortable to have things be so black and white. But, that's our problem in our current society -- there are no absolutes anymore. We want everyone to feel "good", rather than be "good". There is a distinct difference between feeling good and being good.

[Definition of "Good": better, best; of favorable character or tendency; serving it's purpose well; having desired qualities; morally excellent; virtuous; righteous; (decorous; reflecting Christian principles,) bountiful, fertile; suitable, sound, fit, agreeable, pleasant, whole; wholesome, salutary -- beneficial, health giving; considerable, ample; full; well founded; true (holds for everybody); legally valid or effectual; adequate, satisfactory, agreeable; well-behaved, conforming to a standard; discriminating; commendable, virtue; kind; upper-class; fine, upstanding; educated; competent; loyal, close -- to bring together; genuine; dependable, responsible; generally advantageous, not spoiled...]

Wow, what a list. What an honorable way to live. It's amazing how many of the words that describe "good" are no longer politically correct.

Whether we like it or not -- whether it's politically correct or not; The Republic of the United States of America was founded upon Christian principles. And, those Christian principles call us to a higher standard of living -- those Christian principles call us to BE "good". And, it is only because of those Christian principles that America has even existed, and has flourished and thrived in liberty.

Liberty; freedom of choice, is for a righteous people, who are able to live in freedom because they choose to do what is right and BE good. But, laws are for a lawless people, who choose to ultimately live in bondage and be controlled by someone else, because they do not desire to control (govern) themselves. When we cease to BE "good" we ultimately relinquish our liberty and we are destined for bondage.

It's our choice -- bondage or freedom. If we are lawless (unruly) we are bound to the law because we are controlled only by the law. If we are lawful (rightful) we are free from the law because we control ourselves based on standards higher than man's laws. When we choose to BE Good we are able to successfully govern ourselves, and then, and only then, are we truly free.

Bondage and freedom, we are free to choose. Just as, shown to us in God's word, through the Old and New Testaments, we choose whether we live in mercy or grace. Both are necessary, but it is our choice, to the degree, in which we will walk in either or both. Our Founding Father's understood the importance of, and the difference between, mercy and grace. Our Founding Father's wisely chose grace as the model for our liberty. (--and don't ask, "Grace who?"--)

(Be forewarned, the next several paragraphs may require some cross-lateral brain activity: brain gymnastics!) [

]

In the Old Testament the law must be fulfilled, so we seek mercy. In the New Testament the law is fulfilled because we have grace. In the Old Testament we are at God's mercy because we are lawless and we must work to fulfill the law to have God's favor, so we are bound by the law. In the New Testament we have God's favor because we have been given grace and the law has been fulfilled for us, if we choose to accept, and we are set free. In the Old Testament we are bound by laws from the outside, so we seek mercy: forgiven as favored. In the New Testament we are freed by the laws on the inside, because we have grace: favored as forgiven.

Bottom line: We are either at God's mercy bound by law. Or, we are in God's grace, free from the law. We either choose to obey out of fear, and the law is separate from us, and rules us; or we are free to obey out of love, and the law is within us and fulfilled in us.

It is always our choice. It is our choice to live in bondage or freedom. It is our choice to seek mercy or grace.

Human nature has a difficult time accepting grace and living in grace. For grace brings us the opportunity of free choice, and makes us responsible for our own actions and choices, and accountable for the consequences. Our Christian principles allow us to live in grace because we know inherently that grace calls us to a higher standard of living. And we choose to do what is right from love, rather than from fear. We choose to be "good" because we want to be "good" rather than because we have to be "good". We tend to understand mercy, much better than we understand grace, and thus we gravitate toward living in mercy where we have forced accountability, rather than living in grace where we have chosen accountability.

Before proclaiming freedom and liberty we lived at the mercy of England, under the king's control and we were bound. After obtaining liberty we lived in the grace of America with self-control and we were free. In England we served the king, but in America we serve THE KING. (--and I don't mean Elvis--) (God's word says: Be free, for I have set you free.)

We are free from the law only when we live by the law. We are bound to the law we serve. God's law sets us free because God's law calls us to choose to live a righteous (orderly) life, and honorably govern ourselves. Man's law binds us because we choose to live an unrighteous (unruly) life, to ignore God's law and thus, be required to live under the law of man, and be governed. Our Founding Fathers did indeed understand this concept, and they brilliantly designed our Constitution based on these principles of freedom obtained through living a life that is Good. As Benjamin Franklin so aptly stated: "We have given you a Republic, if you choose to keep it."

As events continue to unfold for January 21, 2001, and beyond, be aware that the bigger picture is needing our focus. We will continue to have opportunity to make choices that either bring us life (liberty) or death (bondage).

It is a matter of choice. So, be pro-choice and choose life. My choice to BE Good, brings life. When I choose to BE Good, I am equipped to choose liberty. When I am equipped to choose liberty -- the issues become clear cut; absolute.

For example: Separation of Church and State, absolutely, for separation is defined as: area of division, and we the People are the area of division. We, each of us individually, are to determine how much division between Church and State, is desired. The reason there is so much confusion is we no longer truly understand our history, our constitution, our heritage, our rights, our altruism and original definitions.

It's rather like an oil and vinegar dressing: both ingredients, balanced, are necessary to create a good dressing. And both must be mixed together for the best taste.

Separation of Church and State? Definitely, if Church and State are impersonally defined as religion, buildings, doctrine, regulations, and laws, and especially if either or both exercise tyrannical rule. Yes, separate religion and regulations. However, for me, I will never separate my commitment to my God and my commitment to my country. I have discovered that I cannot have one without the other. In order to have freedom in either, I must have freedom in both. For me, I choose to separate religion and regulations, but I choose to keep God and Country united. And, it is from this foundation that I have the desire and the determination to BE Good, so that I am equipped to choose Liberty.

It is my New Year prayer, for all of us; individually and collectively, as a nation, that we seek to BE Good.

The bottom line -- we sow what we reap. The bigger picture -- it's our choice.

In truth, strength and honor -- so help us God.
Many blessings, Deb

Contact the author at: n2him@kdsi.net

January 15, 2001, 05:52 AM	#1
Ken in Iowa Member Join Date: November 18, 1999 Location: Montezuma, IA Posts: 71	Great reading, we need to take this to heart. Ken The purpose of this article is emphasizing the fact that our founding Fathers truly understood the concepts of mercy and grace related to bondage and freedom, and founded our system for liberty upon those Christian principles. Deb Greetings to all, Even though it seems that the election of 2000 is now settled, keep eyes and ears open, and prayers flowing. Our real work, to restore our dignity in this nation, has just begun and there is much to be done. There is so much valuable information available, that one can spend hours,daily, pouring over it all. There are many, many issues which need our attention. However, there comes a point, for me, that I must reflect, condense, and obtain the bottom line. In the light of Election 2000 overlapping the Christmas season and the beginning of a new millennium, and all the controversy about George W's conservative appointees -- I have come to the conclusion that the bottom line is about: The Bigger Picture. But, then again, isn't it usually? The activities of the last closing months (the election controversy, the last minute executive orders, the last minute pardons, and all the "left wing" and "right wing" hoopla) of the year 2000, and the beginning of the year 2001 are really about the bigger picture of what has been happening in our nation over the past eight years. The bigger picture actually goes back much further, than the last eight years, or even 70 years, but the last eight years have been significantly destructive, and we are paying the price for the apathy which we have allowed to oppress our nation. The bigger picture is also about what will happen, in our nation, in the next two, four, and six years. The bigger picture is about cause and effect; choices made and price paid. The bottom line is derived from the bigger picture and is at the root of all the numerous issues which need our attention. Issues such as domestic and foreign policy, the UN, the EU, NATO, our military, our sovereignty, taxes, trade, The Federal Reserve, CAFR (comprehensive annual financial report), Goals 2000, Character Education, government programs, 501C3, our senior citizens, health care, our Constitution, our heritage, our freedom, and our liberty. The bigger picture is about WE the People, and what we choose, individually and collectively. The bottom line is the price we pay for the choices we make. It's very simple how Life works: for every choice you make there is a price to pay -- and as much as we may not like it -- each choice either brings life or death to something. Oh, I know, it's not comfortable to have things be so black and white. But, that's our problem in our current society -- there are no absolutes anymore. We want everyone to feel "good", rather than be "good". There is a distinct difference between feeling good and being good. [Definition of "Good": better, best; of favorable character or tendency; serving it's purpose well; having desired qualities; morally excellent; virtuous; righteous; (decorous; reflecting Christian principles,) bountiful, fertile; suitable, sound, fit, agreeable, pleasant, whole; wholesome, salutary -- beneficial, health giving; considerable, ample; full; well founded; true (holds for everybody); legally valid or effectual; adequate, satisfactory, agreeable; well-behaved, conforming to a standard; discriminating; commendable, virtue; kind; upper-class; fine, upstanding; educated; competent; loyal, close -- to bring together; genuine; dependable, responsible; generally advantageous, not spoiled...] Wow, what a list. What an honorable way to live. It's amazing how many of the words that describe "good" are no longer politically correct. Whether we like it or not -- whether it's politically correct or not; The Republic of the United States of America was founded upon Christian principles. And, those Christian principles call us to a higher standard of living -- those Christian principles call us to BE "good". And, it is only because of those Christian principles that America has even existed, and has flourished and thrived in liberty. Liberty; freedom of choice, is for a righteous people, who are able to live in freedom because they choose to do what is right and BE good. But, laws are for a lawless people, who choose to ultimately live in bondage and be controlled by someone else, because they do not desire to control (govern) themselves. When we cease to BE "good" we ultimately relinquish our liberty and we are destined for bondage. It's our choice -- bondage or freedom. If we are lawless (unruly) we are bound to the law because we are controlled only by the law. If we are lawful (rightful) we are free from the law because we control ourselves based on standards higher than man's laws. When we choose to BE Good we are able to successfully govern ourselves, and then, and only then, are we truly free. Bondage and freedom, we are free to choose. Just as, shown to us in God's word, through the Old and New Testaments, we choose whether we live in mercy or grace. Both are necessary, but it is our choice, to the degree, in which we will walk in either or both. Our Founding Father's understood the importance of, and the difference between, mercy and grace. Our Founding Father's wisely chose grace as the model for our liberty. (--and don't ask, "Grace who?"--) (Be forewarned, the next several paragraphs may require some cross-lateral brain activity: brain gymnastics!) [ ] In the Old Testament the law must be fulfilled, so we seek mercy. In the New Testament the law is fulfilled because we have grace. In the Old Testament we are at God's mercy because we are lawless and we must work to fulfill the law to have God's favor, so we are bound by the law. In the New Testament we have God's favor because we have been given grace and the law has been fulfilled for us, if we choose to accept, and we are set free. In the Old Testament we are bound by laws from the outside, so we seek mercy: forgiven as favored. In the New Testament we are freed by the laws on the inside, because we have grace: favored as forgiven. Bottom line: We are either at God's mercy bound by law. Or, we are in God's grace, free from the law. We either choose to obey out of fear, and the law is separate from us, and rules us; or we are free to obey out of love, and the law is within us and fulfilled in us. It is always our choice. It is our choice to live in bondage or freedom. It is our choice to seek mercy or grace. Human nature has a difficult time accepting grace and living in grace. For grace brings us the opportunity of free choice, and makes us responsible for our own actions and choices, and accountable for the consequences. Our Christian principles allow us to live in grace because we know inherently that grace calls us to a higher standard of living. And we choose to do what is right from love, rather than from fear. We choose to be "good" because we want to be "good" rather than because we have to be "good". We tend to understand mercy, much better than we understand grace, and thus we gravitate toward living in mercy where we have forced accountability, rather than living in grace where we have chosen accountability. Before proclaiming freedom and liberty we lived at the mercy of England, under the king's control and we were bound. After obtaining liberty we lived in the grace of America with self-control and we were free. In England we served the king, but in America we serve THE KING. (--and I don't mean Elvis--) (God's word says: Be free, for I have set you free.) We are free from the law only when we live by the law. We are bound to the law we serve. God's law sets us free because God's law calls us to choose to live a righteous (orderly) life, and honorably govern ourselves. Man's law binds us because we choose to live an unrighteous (unruly) life, to ignore God's law and thus, be required to live under the law of man, and be governed. Our Founding Fathers did indeed understand this concept, and they brilliantly designed our Constitution based on these principles of freedom obtained through living a life that is Good. As Benjamin Franklin so aptly stated: "We have given you a Republic, if you choose to keep it." As events continue to unfold for January 21, 2001, and beyond, be aware that the bigger picture is needing our focus. We will continue to have opportunity to make choices that either bring us life (liberty) or death (bondage). It is a matter of choice. So, be pro-choice and choose life. My choice to BE Good, brings life. When I choose to BE Good, I am equipped to choose liberty. When I am equipped to choose liberty -- the issues become clear cut; absolute. For example: Separation of Church and State, absolutely, for separation is defined as: area of division, and we the People are the area of division. We, each of us individually, are to determine how much division between Church and State, is desired. The reason there is so much confusion is we no longer truly understand our history, our constitution, our heritage, our rights, our altruism and original definitions. It's rather like an oil and vinegar dressing: both ingredients, balanced, are necessary to create a good dressing. And both must be mixed together for the best taste. Separation of Church and State? Definitely, if Church and State are impersonally defined as religion, buildings, doctrine, regulations, and laws, and especially if either or both exercise tyrannical rule. Yes, separate religion and regulations. However, for me, I will never separate my commitment to my God and my commitment to my country. I have discovered that I cannot have one without the other. In order to have freedom in either, I must have freedom in both. For me, I choose to separate religion and regulations, but I choose to keep God and Country united. And, it is from this foundation that I have the desire and the determination to BE Good, so that I am equipped to choose Liberty. It is my New Year prayer, for all of us; individually and collectively, as a nation, that we seek to BE Good. The bottom line -- we sow what we reap. The bigger picture -- it's our choice. In truth, strength and honor -- so help us God. Many blessings, Deb Contact the author at: n2him@kdsi.net