AMERICA: THE LAND OF THE FREE, THE HOME OF THE BRAVE, PART-2 by Pastor James Wright

AMERICA: THE LAND OF THE FREE, THE HOME OF THE BRAVE, PART-2

GALATIONS 2:3-4

3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to Spy out our Liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into Bondage:

THE FIRST AMENDMENT UNDER THE BILL OF RIGHTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, PROTECTS THE FREEDOM OF RELIGION, SPEECH, PRESS, ASSEMBLY , AND THE RIGHT TO PETITION THE GOVERNMENT.

The Apostle Paul, petitioning the church council in Jerusalem concerning false teachers who came into the church, forced a religious law of circumcision on Titus, a gentile minister of the gospel. Paul argued that his religious liberty in Christ Jesus and that of Titus were being infringed upon, and would result in bondage, obstructing the truth of the gospel. LIBERTY OR FREEDOM CAN ONLY BE FOUND IN JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. The phrase, “God Blessed America” is closely intertwined with the philosophy of the (1) Declaration of Independence, (2) The Constitution of the United States, (3) The Bill of Rights, called the Charter of Freedom, and is stored at the Rotunda National Archives in Washington DC, as a monument of freedom for the last 250 years. For this very reason, the United States of America has served as “The Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave” for countless millions, seeking refuge from religious persecution.

It is only fitting that we insert the 4th stanzas of the “Star Spangled Banner” in this article to remember the great sacrifices of our men and women in our armed services, who gave their lives to secure life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. With a few reflections down memory lane: (1) On September 14, 1814, at the break of dawn, a massive 15-star, 15-stripes garrison flag was seen waving over Fort McHenry, Baltimore, that gave rise to this song:

O say can you see, by dawn’s early light, what so proudly we hailed at twilight’s last

gleaming, whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts

we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in

air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there; O say does that star-spangled

banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

(2) On February 22,1945 during the brutal Battle of Iwo Jima, US Marines successfully captured the strategic 546-foot summit of Mount Suribachi. Five Marines and one Navy serviceman, raised the American Flag, a very historic moment that signaled victory and freedom.

LIBERTY AND FREEDOM IS PURCHASED AT A GREAT COST, GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES AFFECTED. HISTORY TEACHES US THAT WHENEVER RELIGION OR WORSHIP IS LEGISLATED, IT BECOMES MANDATED, ENFORCING STRICT CODES OF OBSERVANCE, RESULTING IN PUNISHMENT FOR DISSENTERS: Here is a Biblical Account: Daniel 3:1-6 3 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

4 Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,

5 That at what time ye hear the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:

6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

During the French Revolution in 1793, France legislated the establishment of the Cult of Reason, which became the State Religion. This resulted in the illegality of all other religions. France being the superpower of the world at this time, quickly fell from grace. Another superpower, the United States was already in the making. Another historical caution is documented in history, when in 321 AD Constantine the Great decreed that Sunday(Sol Invictus- day of the sun) should be the day of rest for everyone. That legislation by Constantine, paved the way for Sunday rest day throughout the Papal Roman Empire, resulting in the enforcement of Sunday Blue Laws in the Colonies of the United States of America. History teaches us very important lessons, that both in Secular and Religious legislation of Religion, Freedom and Liberty are lost.

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