christian liberty

66 Reasons Why a Christian Must Fight to Retain his Liberty

Our country is in dire danger and slipping into dictatorship. My prayer is that Christians will study their bibles and understand we were created as free men and women and that God wants us to remain that way.

Dick Carmack, March 20, 2013

Should a Christian fight in armed resistance to preserve his liberty?

A history written in blood

For well over 200 years Americans have willingly stood up and been counted when oppression came upon our people. We have without hesitation written our history with our own blood to defend our God-given liberty.

But today we have become a nation of milk-toasts. We continually turn the other cheek and have become a nation of people who worship government instead of God.

EARLY AMERICAN MILITIAS

In Pre-Revolution America, citizen militias were commonplace. Every able bodied man, white or black,16 and older had a gun and if he couldn’t afford one many states would provide him with a rifle complete with enough black powder and bullets to make it worthwhile.

The prime cause of the American Revolution was the campaign by Great Britain to confiscate firearms and gunpowder in Colonial America. It began on September 1, 1774.

Adapted from: http://www.davekopel.org/RKBA-Law-History.htm#Founding_Era

The War Escalates

John Adams praised the newly constituted Massachusetts militia, “commanded through the province, not by men who procured their commissions from a governor as a reward for making themselves pimps to his tools.”

The American War of Independence began on April 19, 1775, when 700 Redcoats under the command of Major John Pitcairn left Boston to seize American arms at Lexington and Concord.

“Without formal legal authorization, Americans began to form independent militia, outside the traditional chain of command of the royal governors. In Virginia, George Washington and George Mason organized the Fairfax Independent Militia Company. The Fairfax militiamen pledged that “we will, each of us, constantly keep by us” a firelock, six pounds of gunpowder, and twenty pounds of lead. Other independent militia embodied in Virginia along the same model. Independent militia also formed in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maryland, and South Carolina, choosing their own officers.”

A Current Question

In modern America we find ourselves faced with the question that comes when one group of men attempt to exercise unlawful power over other men.

Today we are facing laws, and proposed laws that infringe on our Constitutional liberties, such as mandatory health decisions and the right to keep and bear arms.

The 1st & 2nd Amendments to the Constitution of these United

States

Amendment I: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Something to think about…

Today there is great concern over attempts by the United States government to put into high gear an effort that has been idling along for many years, that is, the registration and eventual confiscation of individually owned firearms.

Please consider if the gun grabbers are successful here, it will only be a matter of time until “freedom of religion, of speech, the press and the right to peaceably assemble” will also disappear. Down go 2 more Amendments!

Concerning Christian Resistance

The American Colonists, reeling under a myriad load of taxes and regulations, fought a Revolutionary War to preserve their freedoms. Most of these people were Christian.

“Did you know that 52 of the 56 signers of the

Declaration of Independence were orthodox, deeply committed Christians? The others all believed in the Bible as the divine truth, the God of Scripture, and His personal intervention. It is the same Congress that formed the American Bible Society.”

http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/declaration_of_independence.htm

How about present day America?

Just as King George attempted to confiscate guns and gunpowder from the Colonists, our present government seems to be on a course designed to disarm us, while simultaneously arming a domestic standing army.

What will be our response? What is the biblical response? Should we “turn the other cheek” or should we “resist evil” wherever it is found. Enemies of freedom can be both foreign and domestic.

Recent purchases by “Homeland Security”

Over 1.6 BILLION rounds of ammo,

most of them hollow-point 40 caliber.

War is apparently coming to America

“At the height of the Iraq War the Army was expending less than 6 million rounds a month. 1.6 billion rounds, therefore, would be enough to sustain a hot war for 20+ years In America,”

– Forbes Magazine, March 11, 2013

2717 Armored Vehicles

7,000 “Personal Defense Weapons” for Homeland Security

On the other hand, if civilians attempt to possess AR15s, they are called “Assault Weapons.”

Our Christian, American Heritage

We, as Christian Americans have a rich history and a God-given Heritage to protect.

We have been blessed by God above all other nations. We are the Philadelphian church. We have sent and funded more missionaries to the lost and unbelieving world than all other nations combined, but we are now in great danger of losing our freedom and our very lives.

So we are faced with decision

Do we roll over and accept the mandates of Constitutionally questionable laws or…

Do we exercise “non-compliance” such as Gandhi and Civil Rights protesters used until such edicts are settled by unbiased examination of written law?

We will look at the question and examine both biblical instruction and the historical record.

Decision Time in America

Do we employ peaceful resistance through non-compliance, hoping that such tactics will result in our present government reconsidering their plans and withdrawing their attempt to restrict gun ownership?

In my opinion, any law designed to restrict gun ownership in any manner, is by definition an “infringement” on our right to keep and bear arms.

If non-compliance fails…

Let us examine another clause in the Declaration of Independence:

“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security…” (emphasis added)

A Short Look at History

“The British gun control program that precipitated the American Revolution: the 1774 import ban on firearms and gunpowder; the 1774-75 confiscations of firearms and gunpowder; and the use of violence to effectuate the confiscations.

“It was these events that changed a situation of political tension into a shooting war. Each of these British abuses provides insights into the scope of the modern Second Amendment.”

http://www.davekopel.org/2A/LawRev/american-revolution-against-british-gun-control.html

A + B = C

Guns cannot be confiscated until those who are attempting the act first know where the guns are. Gun registration is a first and necessary step if a government is intent upon gun confiscation.

The 2nd Amendment to our Constitution was written not to guarantee our right to go hunting or for self defense, it was written to protect the people from tyrannical government.

But what is a Christian’s duty? Should we submit to government or do we defend our liberty?

On the one hand…

Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Jesus spoke of His Heavenly Kingdom

John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

A contradiction?

Lu 22:36 Then said he (Jesus) unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

What does Scripture say?

We must be careful to determine the Will of God in all things and not pick out a verse or two and build a doctrine on them.

QUESTION:

“If in the event of an attempted dictatorship or another Civil War what is the duty of an American Bible believing Christian?”

First, we must preach the Gospel and bend every effort to win the lost.

But a pastor must also lead when he, as a watchman on the wall “…seeth the sword come….” When that happens he is instructed to sound the alarm.

Otherwise the blood of the unwarned people will be on his head.

“The War to end all wars.”

Sgt. Alvin York

Sgt. Alvin York was a World War One (WWI) Congressional Medal of Honor winner who first entered the U.S. Army as a declared pacifist.

Why did York change his mind?

York’s commanding officer, Major Buxton used Scripture to turn a pacifist into a fearless fighting man who single-handedly killed 28 and captured 132 German soldiers and with the help of a few others delivered them to headquarters for imprisonment.

Major Buxton first went to Ezekiel 33…

Ezekiel 33:1-61 ¶ Again the word of the LORD came unto

me, saying,

2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:

3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;

Ezekiel 33:1-6

4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.

5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.

Ezekiel 33:1-6

6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.

Dr. John R. Rice:

“I think that the case of Jeroboam in Ist Kings 12, who rebelled against Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, and the case of Jehu in 2 Kings 9, who rebelled against Jehoram, king of Israel, show that God sometimes is in favor of a revolution against a wicked king.”

J. Vernon McGee:

• “The Lord said, ‘He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.’ Why? For self protection, of course. They were living in days that required a sword. We need to recognize that fact also. If we do not resist evil today, all kinds of evil will befall us…”

Dr. Robert L. Moyer

“There may come times when there will be a clash between state and church…When such a clash comes, in, the words of the apostles, ‘we must obey God rather than men.’”

What about the martyrs?

On the other side of the coin, Christian history is replete with examples of Christians that went to their deaths without apparent resistance and it often seems that the Gospel is furthered more in those instances, than when war is employed.

Did the martyrs fail to resist?

But reading Foxes’ Book of Martyrs, we realize that these people were killed (burned, hanged, beheaded etc.) not for turning the other cheek, but for precisely the opposite reason.

They were killed for resisting the power of the state, that is, they refused to bow down to the King or Pope and thus were executed. But they chose to obey God and not men (Acts 5:29).

IN FACT…

Numerous famous heroes of the Bible – including many of those listed in the “Faith Hall of Fame” in Hebrews 11 as well as in other passages – were accorded their special position of honor because they committed civil disobedience (e.g., Daniel, the Three Hebrew Children, the Hebrew midwives, Rahab, Moses, etc.; and the Apostles in Acts 4-5 also declared their willingness to be civilly disobedient against tyrannical commands of civil and religious rulers).

Believer Civil Disobedience

Da 1:8 ¶ But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Da 3:12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Egyptian Midwives & Rahab

Ex 1:17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

Jos 2:3 And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.

Moses kills Pharaoh’s Man

Ex 2:12 Ex 2:11 ¶ And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. 11 And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

What about subversion or fraud?

If America votes legally (Constitutionally) to become a communist nation it becomes our Christian duty to either submit or leave.

However, when tyrannical government succeeds not by legal procedures, but instead by fraud, subversion or deceit, it thereby becomes an ILLEGAL government and must be resisted.

They defied secular authority

Ac 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;…

Ac 4:14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

They defied religious authority

Ac 5:17 ¶ Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

Ac 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us…Ac 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

The American Declaration of Independence:

“…But when a long train of abuses and usurpation, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

NOTE: To do otherwise is to make AN IDOL OF GOVERNMENT

But John McArthur and others liken patriotism to heresy…

“People have mistakenly linked democracy and political freedom to Christianity. That’s why many contemporary evangelicals believe the American Revolution was completely justified, both politically and scripturally.

“They follow the arguments of the Declaration of Independence, which declares that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are Divinely endowed rights. . . . But such a position is contrary to the clear teachings and commands of Romans 13:1-7.”

Romans 13:1 ¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3 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:

4 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.

For conscience sake

Romans 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7 ¶ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Please Note Carefully

Ro 13:3 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: (emphasis added)

If a government becomes “a terror to good works” and rewards the evil, that government has stepped out of the biblical mandate, has become an illegitimate government and must be resisted.

Return to God’s Law

We all need to return to God’s basic Law, the Ten Commandments. “Thou shalt not kill” applies to government as well as we the people.

“Thou shalt not steal, commit adultery, lie, worship idols, blaspheme, etc. applies equally to our leaders as well as to us.

Only a fundamental, real revival and turning back to Christ offers any hope for America!

“The Powers that be…”If a gang of thugs breaks into your house, they

certainly are “The powers.” Should we therefore humbly submit and be obedient to their every command? Of course not. The same is true when a dictatorial government or its representative begins unlawfully giving out edicts or commands. In that case he has become a terror to “good works.”

If so, he is acting in opposition to our written law and therefore must be resisted. Otherwise we have “Turned the other cheek (Mt 5:39) unlawfully,” and we find ourselves in opposition to God’s Word.

Who is the “Ruler?”

A democracy is a form of government by which laws are made and discarded at will, subject only to the will of the majority.

A Republic is a form of government in which the people have consented to place themselves under the rule of written law, usually called a “constitution.”

THE UNITED STATES

Is a Constitutional Republic. That is, we are governed (ruled) by a written set of laws agreed upon and willingly submitted to, by our founding fathers.

Our Constitution cannot be changed simply by a simple vote of the majority or by Executive Order. All changes must be ratified by a 3/4ths majority of the states as provided by law. (Article 5)

We are under the Rule of Law

Our written constitution then becomes our “ruler.” All citizens and officers of our Republic become subject to our written law and are required to submit to it.

Any person who tries to circumvent our law without due process, for example by “executive order” becomes by definition a lawbreaker, and must be resisted and eventually punished.

Our Bible is our Law & Command

Christians are commanded to also live by the written law of God. You might call it our “Christian Constitution.”

Our law allows for the election or appointment of representatives

just as the Bible teaches.

Those representatives are required to protect our written law and are accountable to the people. When they fail to protect our God-given law (our Constitution) they must be recalled and replaced with men who will act in accordance with the law. If we fail to do that we will lose our freedom and become the slaves of other men.

Our form of government comes from our Bible:

Numbers 11:16,17

And the LORD said unto Moses,…

Numbers 11:

16 ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.

17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.

God spoke to His people…

Deut 16:18 ¶ Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

God disciplined with judges

Judges 2:16 Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.

17 And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so.

Three layers of government

Isaiah 33:22 For the LORD is our judge (judicial), the LORD is our lawgiver (legislative), the LORD is our king (executive); he will save us.

Conclusion: We are taught to live by, and to protect our Law

The President and other elected and appointed officials ARE TRANSIENT and are only empowered to carry out the law, and to amend it by lawful procedure. Our President therefore, is not our ruler, he is merely the instrument by which law (the Constitution, “our ruler”) is enforced.

God Bless America

The American experiment is unique in the world. For 200 years we have lived in a model country that is based upon biblical principles.

Today we are in grave danger of losing our way of life, indeed our very lives because we have turned away from God and refuse to repent of our evil and turn back to Him.

THE GENTLE QUAKER

A Quaker gentleman heard a noise one night in the parlor and upon investigating found a burglar taking the family silver.

He raised his shotgun and spoke quietly :

“Friend, I would do thee no harm for all of this world, but friend, thou standest where I am about to shoot.”

THE ONLY REAL SOLUTION

Without real revival. Without genuine repentance for sin and with broken hearts, going to God in prayer admitting we are individually sinners, there is no hope.

We may have to fight another revolutionary war. We may win. But over time it will be the same story again. The only real solution is governance by God Almighty.

IF MY PEOPLE WILL TURN…

2Ch 7:14 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.