Accepting Truth and Living by it

As one does not follow the Constitution, deviating and disregarding it – basically, avoiding reading it or understanding it – Liberty is unfulfilled. In the same sense, if one does not read the Word but deviates from it by assuming that they know it or understand it through what they ‘think,’ or by others’ interpretations, then Life is unfulfilled. Liberals are afraid to read the Constitution and implement it as it is written, always contriving to ‘interpret’ it to render a meaning that was not originally intended, a meaning that fits their emotional idea of justice. So do many treat the Written Word, the Bible, shrinking from it in fear that it will contradict what they believe must be true according to what they ‘feel.’ Or they seek within the content a meaning that fits their wishes rather than what God intends to be understood. The Founders gave us further documents upon which to measure the words of the Constitution: the Federalist Papers and, of course, the Declaration of Independence which the Constitution codified for practical application. This is a reflection of what God gave His people in the Holy Bible and that which Martin Luther defied the institutionalized Church of his day, intoning “Sola Scriptura.” The Bible was meant to be measured against itself and not the fancies of men dressed in scapulars, skullcaps and mitres. Scripture interprets Scripture.

It doesn’t take a scholar to understand the Constitution, nor does it take a theologian to comprehend Scripture

It doesn’t take a scholar to understand the Constitution, nor does it take a theologian to comprehend Scripture. Christ will capture our hearts with His words in just the right way to turn our thoughts to something fresh, “renewing” our minds no matter what translation we may read, for His truth will not be bound by man’s interpretation. The conclusion below may sound harsh yet any patriot will stolidly support the first assertion. But go further and see if, as a Christian, you’re willing to stand by the second statement… Anyone finding themselves in the position of fearing to apply the straightforwardness of the Constitution, feeling that it can’t possibly address what they inherently ‘know’ must be correct, and that it is in need of interpretation or updating, is not allegiant to America. And anyone who dreads opening the Written Word, fearful that it may go against what they believe must be true, or that it may open thought processes they would rather avoid, is not allegiant to Christ. They are indulging their emotions, their feelings, rather than allowing the Word to open their heart to receive the gift that lies therein. The Lord speaks to each of us through His Written Word, challenging us to align what we hear in our hearts with Scripture. For if it does not, then we are not hearing His voice but that of our own. Truth is never easy to accept, especially when we are being challenged to step away from our past (good or bad, it is what we know and, thus, comfortable), and confront the unknown future. Christ empowers each of us to “put off the old man” and “put on the new.” As a correlative, this is exactly what the Founders did in building our new nation and it took a very special courage to take that leap. We are called to be courageous in leaving behind the woes, the cares and even what we may have believed to be joys, in order to grasp the bright gift of Freedom He holds for us. This Freedom is different from the corporeal experience we label ‘freedom.’ It is the release from emotional bondage that is tied to our fleshly experience, bondage that most often shows up as anguish, frustration, anger, depression, unrequited feelings and just plain hurt. Even the emotion we call ‘love’ can be fraught with jealousy, neediness and other unpleasant side effects. There is no freedom in reliving the past. Doing so only makes it the present, walking it into the future. But when we unshackle ourselves of past pain and triumphs to look ahead to what awaits, hard or easy as it may come, placing faith in what God wants for us, then can Freedom be realized. It’s a hard decision that is only ours to make. Fear and confinement by relying on our feelings, or; Faith and Freedom through what is spelled out in the Written Word. Weigh it word for Word and see for yourself. Romans 15:4 – For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Proverbs 30:5-6 – Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Matthew 11:15 – He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.