Freedom or Tyranny?

The Declaration of Independence

As the United States of America celebrates her 238th birthday today, I think it's important that we remember two quotes that underscore just what America has meant to the world and to freedom since her inception in 1776.

The first quote was offered by President John F. Kennedy during his inaugural address on January 20, 1961 when he said this: "My fellow Americans; ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country."

The second quote belongs to Jesus Christ who said this 2,000 years ago: "So if the Son (Christ) sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)

While Kennedy was a flawed man, he understood that a strong nation consists of an educated and moral people who work hard and make the necessary sacrifices to ensure that their country remains strong and free of evil influences from the outside. 

During Kennedy's day, the greatest evil influence that threatened America came from the Soviet Union that wanted to spread communism overtly and covertly across the world.

How does Christ's famous quote relate to freedom and America today? This way: The United States is a nation that was founded by men who believed in God and embraced a Judeo-Christian worldview. Certainly, not all of America's founders embraced that view. But most of them did. 

Therefore, they understood the inherent sinful nature that exists in all human beings and they established a unique form of government that prevented sinful human beings from acquiring too much power. They realized that too much power concentrated in the hands of fallen men is a recipe for despotism and disaster.

The true Christian gospel (sadly, there are many false ones) mandates accountability not only to God, but to fellow human beings. Where governments exist that fail to limit the power of their leaders and hold them accountable for their actions, persecution and tyranny reign. 

And we have seen endless examples of that throughout history. For a memory refresher, remember Hitler's Third Reich, Stalin's Iron Curtain and North Korea today under the ruthless Kim Jong-un. 

Sadly, unless Americans wake up and soon, they could find themselves living under a ruthless and tyrannical government controlled by a bloodthirsty despot like Kim Jong-un. Since Barack Obama was elected as America's 44th president in 2008, the freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution to protect Americans from government tyranny have been increasingly violated and ignored.

If tyranny is the progeny of despotism, then decay is the progeny of apathy. The fact that so many Americans today take their freedoms for granted and are completely oblivious to the fact that they're steadily losing those freedoms means that they've already been completely defeated.

Today, too many Americans ask not what they can do for their country, but what their country can give them for free. 

That's why so many Americans continue to worship Barack Obama--because he promises them the goodies in exchange for their freedom and their votes. And they're only too happy and grateful to make that trade. 

Many Americans believe that once Obama's gone (and that can't come soon enough) the Constitution will be followed and respected once again. However, losing Obama isn't going to solve America's problems as long as a growing number of Americans prefer entitlements to independence. 

Because tyranny knows no political affiliations. It only knows stupidity, apathy, moral depravity and laziness. And wherever that prevails, freedom is absent.