A famous quote from Thomas Paine from the book “The Crisis” (1776) talked about the tyranny in his day from the English King, who was taxing the American colonists to the point of poverty, and where freedom was limited to what he, the King, determined it was.
There are certain liberties that come only from God – among them, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our founding fathers and the patriots of that day put their lives, their own liberties and their livelihoods on the line to resist the tyranny and bring those individual freedoms to this beautiful land. We have the words of the Declaration of Independence and our Constitutional Republic as a result.
I’ve been around long enough on this earth to enjoy the fruits of the liberties brought to us by the grace of God and our founding fathers, and have seen my relatives and friends die to protect it. And I’ve seen them fading over the years, as our nation has slowly turned away from God and His commandments.
As we have taken our God-given freedoms for granted, enemies of those freedoms have slipped into positions of power – in education, in the media, in political and governmental positions – and have been quietly working behind the scenes to remove God from the public square, and change our form of government toward a godless one called socialism which leads to communism. Two excellent videos by Curtis Bowers about how this has been happening can be seen here: https://agendaweekly.com/films/
We no longer have a “king” over us (although in some of our States, our governors might believe they are “king”). With the ‘pandemic’ – which many doctors tell us is not that at all – our freedoms have, in many states, been checked. For example, edicts to stay at home, the mandate for no church gatherings or singing, for certain businesses to close while others are allowed to remain open, and children not allowed to attend school are killing not only the ability to worship freely, but also the economic freedoms we once enjoyed, along with causing other, more severe results, like suicide, mental health issues, and medical situations because individuals can’t take the necessary steps to prevent them.
Like some socialist, communist countries, neighbors are told to turn in neighbors for disobeying unconstitutional “rules”. Our “rulers” treat us as “groups” rather than as “individuals”. It’s become commonly known now that if an individual speaks or writes a different point of view than is sanctioned by the social media gurus and mainstream media, he/she is “shamed”. It takes guts to stand up to the bullying that takes place when one chooses not to comply to the edict of wearing a mask.
History repeats itself. Attributed to an 18th century historian, Alexander Tytler, the cycle of eight aptly reveals how it works:
“From bondage to spiritual faith;
From spiritual faith to great courage;
From courage to liberty;
From liberty to abundance;
From abundance to complacency;
From complacency to apathy;
From apathy to dependence;
From dependence back into bondage.”
I was blessed to have lived through abundance and liberty in our nation. It was a more simple life without government overseeing every aspect of it. We could talk about God in school, have Christian clubs, and hold Bible studies on campus after class. We could go to work and enjoy the fruits of our labor without every single area being taxed. We could start up a mom-and-pop business without government regulation and interference, as well as taxes and fees, at every stage. We were taught in school about the foundation of our nation based on Judeo-Christian principles, about the evils of godless (the state was “god”) socialism, communism, marxism and all the other “isms” that stole freedom and killed millions upon millions of people, every time.
We became complacent – taking our freedom for granted. We became apathetic – not caring what the government, media and education did as long as we had our TV shows, games and cell phones. Many just stopped going to church because sports events were being held on Sunday at that same time.
We are moving currently from apathy to dependence. It’s where we are being led: when we become dependent upon government instead of God, we are in huge trouble. Once that dependency is in place, then “government” takes the place of god, and can determine who can thrive and who cannot. We have seen a preview of how this works with governors as they have picked “winners and losers” in businesses and organizations. Pot shops can stay open while churches must close. Big box stores can stay open while small businesses must close. No singing is allowed in churches.
As our great president Ronald Reagan said: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”
We are in deep and dangerous waters. The crossroads lies before us. There is hope as people turn back to the Lord and ask for forgiveness and mercy. God has promised us in II Chronicles 7:14 that “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.” I hope and pray enough individuals stand up and lead the way back to the safety of the shore. Ultimately, God determines, and removes kings and raises up kings. Will you be one?
Here’s what you can do:
- Pray for our president and our nation, that God will have mercy on us and grant us a reprieve from the direction we are headed;
- Get actively involved with a Bible-believing church to stay close to God and to help those who are in need, spiritually and physically;
- Connect with others who are like-minded – there, you can encourage one another and know you aren’t alone;
- Educate yourself from sources other than the mainstream media (read actual writings by the founding fathers; get both sides of an issue; don’t be afraid to discuss and debate);
- Ask God to direct your path where He wants you, be willing to follow it and be obedient to His call wherever He takes you.
“THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to “TAX”) but “to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER,” and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to GOD.” – Thomas Paine, “The Crisis” 1776