Here
is principle that will govern every person’s life and every nation’s
existence: Righteousness and liberty are
inextricably interwoven. You cannot have true liberty without true
righteousness. What God has placed together, no man can tear apart.
What
is righteousness? Righteousness is living responsibly under God. Righteousness
is assuming my God-given responsibilities as a citizen of the kingdom of God
and as a citizen of this great country. Here is how righteousness and responsibility are
inseparably wed together.
Take
for example, a little baby—has no responsibilities. He doesn’t have to worry
about paying the bills. He doesn’t have to worry about going to the grocery store.
The little baby doesn’t even have to worry about changing his or her clothes;
even dirty diapers are changed for the little baby. You see, the little baby
has no responsibilities. But, the little baby also has no liberties. He doesn’t
decide where he’s going to sleep. He doesn’t decide what kind of diapers he or
she is going to wear. He’s carried around. He has no liberties at all, because
he’s not lived responsibly.
But,
as the child grows, and is able to assume more and more responsibilities, therefore,
the child is given more and more liberties. After a while, when the child is
responsible enough, maybe he’s allowed to walk home from school. Then comes the
day when he or she is 16, and they say, “Dad, can I borrow the car?” Now, Dad
has a real decision to make at that time: Is my son, is my daughter, a
responsible individual? Have they shown by the way that they live that they can
take this piece of machinery out there on the highway and drive it? Have they
shown enough responsibility that they can be given this liberty? Responsibility and liberty are inextricably
interwoven.
Now,
when a man becomes a criminal, and no longer lives responsibly, what
happens
to him? He is put in jail. When he fails
in his responsibilities, his liberties are taken away. Now, he’s in jail. There are much fewer responsibilities—he doesn’t have to turn out
the lights. But, he has far fewer liberties—he can’t unlock the door.
You
see, you are not going to hear this from the left in Hollywood -- that liberty and
responsibility are inextricably interwoven. What is true for individuals is also
true for a nation, because a nation is comprised and composed of individuals.
We,
as Americans—listen carefully—will have more liberty or less liberty in direct
proportion to our character.
When
we lose responsibility, when we lose character, when we lose righteousness, as night
follows day, we will lose liberty. Whenever there is a loss of character and righteousness
and responsibility assumed—which is what character is; whenever there is a loss
of these, there will always be – watch this – A GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT.
People
who cannot live responsibly from within will be governed from without. This is how and why government grows.
So
the bigger the government becomes, the more control it is given – over people
who have laid aside righteousness, character and responsibility. This means
that the few who are responsible, fight like hell to try to keep government
from intruding into their lives and liberties. A liberal society will do its best to try to
get as many people less righteous and responsible (an abrogation of character),
in order for them to give up their liberties and allow an outside source
(government, state, dictator, etc.) to take over control.
You
won’t hear this from Hollywood – but it is the agenda of what is taking place
and is certain to go all the way unless there is a direct intervention from God
called – A Revival!
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