God & the US Constitution, A Divine Connection?

in-the-year-of-our-lord03

True Christ-follower’s who are citizens of the United States know according to the Word of God that they must submit themselves to our governing authority.  There is no debate.  This is what the Bible says…

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.  Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.  For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil.  Do you want to have no fear of authority?  Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good.  But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.  Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.  (Rom 13:1-5)

So then…in America, what is our governing authority?  Well I see a lot of people answer this question inaccurately.  Hence, their interpretation and exegesis of this passage ends up being wrought with error. The governing authority is ultimately NOT the elected officials in the U.S.    Let me repeat that because this is crucially important to understand…our ultimate authority is NOT the elected officials.  They have an authority above them in which they must govern by.  Do you know what that authority is?

In the United States, the oath of office for the President is specified in the Constitution (Article II, Section 1):

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.“

Additionally, at the start of each new U.S. Congress in January of every odd-numbered year, newly elected or re-elected Members of Congress – the entire House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate – must recite an oath:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.  So help me God.

Often, the type of government people ascribe to America is inaccurate.  Many “think” the U.S. is a democracy.  Although it contains democratic principles, the United States is NOT a democracy.  It is a Constitutionally Based Federal Republic. Hence, the Constitution is our governing authority.  Look it up and see for yourself.  Elected officials are sworn in, with their hand on the Bible, and must abide by the Constitution.  Whoever does not support, uphold, and defend the Constitution, quite simply, they are failing at their responsibilities and should be dealt with appropriately (but that is another topic that I will not develop in this post).

Now many may look at Romans 13 and say that this passage cannot be suggesting that a document like the Constitution can be the governing authority of America.  That Scripture is clearly talking about ruling people (e.g. rulers)…right?  Now, if we lived in a country that was a kingdom, a monarchy, a dictatorship, etc. where a person ruled, this passage would rightly apply to a person (or persons).  When the book of Romans was written, the Roman Empire was governed by an absolute monarch, which was centered on the position of an emperor.  So that’s why it was written in the way it was.  But this context does not apply to the United States of America – we do not have an emperor nor do we have a monarchical government. Our founding fathers, by the sovereignty of a righteous and holy God, made the Constitution our nations ruler.  Elected officials are responsible to uphold and defend that authority.  And those who are elected have vowed on the Bible, and thus to God, to do so.  “When you make a vow to the LORD your God, be prompt in fulfilling whatever you promised Him.  For the LORD your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows, or you will be guilty of sin” (Deut 23:21).  And the people of America should do exactly the same…wholeheartedly preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution.  It is a minister of God that works for the good of U.S. citizens.

So to interpret Romans 13 rightly; substitute in the Constitution where you see references to rulers (which the United States does not have).  Now check out what comes to light from the Holy Scriptures when you do this…

  • Every person is to be in subjection to the Constitution in the U.S.
  • For there is no authority except from God, and the Constitution [and those who defend/uphold it] are established by God.
  • Therefore whoever resists the Constitution has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed it will receive condemnation upon themselves.
  • For the Constitution is not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil.  Do you want to have no fear of authority?  Do what is good and you will have praise from the same [that is, from God and by those who uphold/defend it]; for [the Constitution and those who uphold/defend it] are ministers of God to you for good.
  • But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for [the Constitution, and those who uphold/defend it] do not bear the sword for nothing; for [the Constitution and those who uphold/defend it] is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
  • Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection [to the Constitution, and those who uphold/defend it], not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.

Hence, are God and the Constitution connected?  The answer is…absolutely!  Those who come up against the Constitution are essentially coming up against the Lord, according to what I see in Scripture and as stated in Romans 13.  And truthfully, the proof is in the pudding. The more adherent the U.S. has been to the Constitution, the more prosperous and blessed the country was/is.  And the reverse is true as well (i.e. see all that’s going on today that opposes the Constitution…how’s it going?).  Now I could picture someone reading this and saying; “are you claiming the Constitution is perfect?”  And the answer is, “of course not!” Only Holy Spirit inspired Scripture is Perfect (1 Cor 13:10).  But strict adherence to the Constitution would put us in much better shape than we are now, as it did in our past.  Truthfully, a ruling Christ sitting on His earthly throne is the only perfect solution.  And that is coming (see Revelation 19 – 22); praise Him!  Where we are heading in America as we move away from the Constitution; honestly, U.S. citizens should be afraid of this scenario.  It can be likened to moving away from the Lord’s will and distancing America from the national blessings God originally bestowed on her. Look what happened historically to Israel when she did this.  The nation was judged, annihilated by her enemy, and became “formless and void” (Jer 4:23).  Read the book of Lamentations for more details about the utter destruction.

The bottom line…if the Constitution is ordained and given by God (and it is), please go re-read it with this in mind.  Do you oppose or go against this vital ordinance in any way, shape, or form?  If you do, I strongly recommend you change your position(s).  Never go up against anything that is God-given; it is not a good idea!  “Whoever resists the [Constitution] has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed it will receive condemnation upon themselves.” (Rom 13:2)

P.S. As an FYI…for those who say the United States Constitution does not mention God…that is technically inaccurate.  In an overarching way, specifically in Article VII, it clearly acknowledges the Lord God:

Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the twelfth…

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