ResponsiveReiding

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776 – The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, – When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

IN PUBLIC. July 5, 2009 – The considered Declaration of one man saved by Grace –

When in the course of human history, by God’s grace humankind is shown the dire state of their fallen condition outside of Christ Jesus our Lord, it becomes necessary for all men to dissolve the sinful bands which have connected them to self as supreme, the influence of the Prince of the Power of the air, and the Fallen World System, and to obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ, restoring their right relationship as joyful and willing children and subjects of the Living God to which the Gospel entitles all who believe – a decent respect for the Truth and the the Glory of God requires that they should declare the realities which impel them to be reconciled to Him.

We hold these truths to be revealed by God, that all men are created by God and for God, and that He possesses absolute and unalienable rights over all things. That among these are the right to require perfect obedience; to judge all creatures according to His own holiness; to grant life both temporal and eternal; to grant forgiveness and liberty from the penalty, power and presence of sin; and to grant infinite and eternal happiness only to be found in Himself freely as He sees fit. — That to secure these grants and gifts, God’s only begotten Son Jesus Christ acting without the consent of the governed, came to earth in the form of sinful flesh, endured God’s wrath against us, died in our place on the Cross of Calvary propitiating the Father and rose again from the dead 3 days later. —That whenever any Form of supposed Government either Institutional or Individual becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of God’s people to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made them free, and their Duty to challenge every yoke of sin and self-government in the Name of Jesus Christ, standing steadfast on the foundation of absolute dependence upon the mercy, love grace and goodness of their eternal Creator King – as this alone can guarantee their Safety and Happiness.

Prov. 7:21 “With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. 22 All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast 23 till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life.”

One more observation on this passage needs to be made before we move on. It is to recognize Temptation’s “tipping point.” “All at once” verse 22 begins, and this is the key thought. Up until this moment, recovery is still available. But there is an indefinable point at which Temptation’s appeals have been listened to and entertained for so long – and the Believing heart’s objections denied for so long that it becomes a case of: “He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing” (Pr 29:1).

(more…)