Tag: The Constitution

Now It’s Personal

On By Dr. William James Carter, IIn Christendom1 Comment

Frankly, I couldn’t care less about the NFL or any other sports organization. In my view, many athletes are way overpaid for playing a game. When it gets down to it that is all athletes do is play games. Moreover, I don’t care about the personal views of any of the players. I have more to be concerned about than the political ranting of the privileged few who purport to care about the less fortunate all while doing nothing more than spewing hatred and disdain for the country which enabled them to be amongst the privileged. Well, I have had enough.

What I find really troubling is many of those pretending to speak for the “oppressed” are the oppressors. Riots are promoted just because some say things with which the “protestors” disagree. Knees are taken to bring attention to “social injustice” yet no one has clearly articulated what that injustice is. All this is going on while those who choose to take a knee in prayer to the God of all are punished for praying. This is not what I fought for. This is not why I took an oath. This is not why I continue to hold to more than one oath.

Yes, it is true. I took an oath a number of years ago. In part, I vowed that I would defend this land against all enemies. Yes, all enemies foreign and domestic. In taking the oath I promised that I would defend the Constitution which includes the Bill of Rights and all the Amendments. The 1st Amendment is included. If any has ought with the Government there are ways to redress the issues. It is those rights for which I donned the uniform. It is not so that the elite can wield power over the less influential. Instead, my service in the Marine Corps was to provide equal protection for all. This includes those who choose to pray to the God of all.

I have had enough. I am patriotic. I am also a Christian. Yet the lie is that in order for one to be a Christian he must lay aside his patriotism. I take issue with that very notion. I honor those who came before me allowing me to pen these very words without concern of governmental oppression. I worship and bow to God and Him alone. Further, this nation was founded on Judeo-Christian values. To my knowledge, it is the only country in the world with such founding. Now, I know some of our founders were Deists and some served not God at all. And, that is the point. The freedoms underscored by the Constitution means we are free to worship and free not to worship. The choice is ours.

I am more incensed at the fact of attacks on Christianity at large. Christians are called “judgmental” because they choose to point out and live according to the Word of God. All worldviews are accepted. All can practice as they see fit. All accept Christians. Well, I have had enough. It’s personal now. You see, I took another oath which is far more important than the oath of my military service. I took an oath to serve God for the rest of my life. I vowed that I would live out Christianity in private and in public. I will not relent. I will not kowtow. I meant every word I said then and I still mean every word.

If you think there are grave injustices in this country there are forums by which they can be addressed. Arguing to redress such injustices do not include the destruction of property and infringing on the rights and freedoms of others. The same is true of the Church. If you do not like the teachings of the Church you have no right to infringe upon the free worship of those in the Church. Further, no one is making anyone stay in this country. You don’t have to be part of the Church. The choice is yours.

Yes, it’s personal now. I have had more than I am willing to take of those attacking the country for which I put my life on the line. If you want to protest, get all the facts and learn the truth behind the issue. If you have an issue with Christianity, learn more about Christ and determine why He died for you. Many died for the freedom of many. One died for the freedom of all. Either way, you don’t have to participate in either.

One more point. Among the oaths I have taken I have taken the oath of an ordained member of the clergy. I vowed to preach the Gospel in and out of season. My job is to point men to the foot of the cross and let them choose or choose not to come to the point of salvation. Contrary to what some say, not all roads lead to eternal salvation. There is but one way to the Father and that is through Christ Jesus. There is no other way. Not all are the same and unless your stand is for Jesus in particular then you stand not on the Word of God. It is time we all stood. Either we stand with the law-abiding or we stand with the lawless. Now it’s personal and with that, I will stand with the Word of God.

 

 

Freedom by Two Documents

On By Dr. William James Carter, IIn Uncategorized7 Comments

     Looking back at history it becomes extremely evident that many of our predecessors lived under the hand of certain slavery. While not all the slavery had to do with limitations imposed by man there was certainly slavery that limited mankind. Consider for a moment the bondage Adam found himself in. His decision to disobey God placed him in rather precarious situation. On one hand he was immediately inundated with a lot of knowledge but Adam became bound by that knowledge because the realization of sin became the centerpiece of his limited understanding.

     It was always God’s desire that man be free of sin but disobedience caused man to be enslaved by sin. God would not be deterred by man’s rebellion but rather he put in place a plan that would free man from the destruction of sin. With that God used about forty men over the period of about sixteen hundred years to show His plan. His plan was and remains simple; to free man from the oppressive power of sin. In doing this man would be free to love and worship God unhindered by the very thing that pollutes worship.

     Another matter to consider is that of the Israelites when they were in bondage to the Egyptians. They were not allowed to worship God freely and were made to work under impossible odds. Despite that God had a plan to free His people and soon that plan was put into action. With much ado the people of God were freed from the debilitating grip of a people that did not love the True and Living God. They were made free so that they could worship the Most High God without the mandates of dictatorial, supercilious ruffians whose sole purpose was to oppress a people that loved God. Freedom was a great reward for the people and our Bible well documents that freedom.

     John 8:32 speaks of freedom as it relates to the truth. The text, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” seems to suggest that freedom is held from those that lack knowledge of what the truth is. This is, at least in part, the reason the slaves in the United States were not allowed to learn to read. If they knew how to read then the possibility of them stumbling across the truth would mean that those bound by slavery would realize that their bondage was illegal consequently result in revolts of one kind or another in order to secure that freedom. This is what the Bible does for the sinner as well as the Christian who is bound by certain indiscretions. It shines a light on that that which brings burdens and provides an avenue of freedom.

     This makes complete sense considering the fact that man, by his very nature, is bound by sin. Deliverance is mandated in order for him to freely worship God. This is the reason Christ became incarnate and willingly laid down His life – so that man could be free from sin. The scriptural text clearly shows man’s absolute need to be freed from the power of sin and Christ is the One that has the ability to provide such deliverance. Once Christ has made man free then freedom is assured. John 8:34-36 discusses freedom relative to sin; “ Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” As such if man is free from sin he is free to worship God.

     However man seems to have a problem with freedom. King George was one that did not take kindly to freedom. He desired that all those under his charge had to worship as he said or there, by extension, would be consequences. As a result of the tyrannical rule of this supercilious dictator many fled from under the despot’s rule. They came to a new land and eventually wrote what is The Constitution of the United States of America. Amendment One to the Bill of Rights clearly states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Yet the attacks on these freedoms are becoming more and more evident as the coming of Christ draws nearer.

     Some are declaring that Christians should not be allowed to freely worship God by reason of the fallacy of hatred within Christendom. They seek to attack the freedom of worshipping the Most High God by monitoring Christian speak and Christian lifestyle. Attempts are made on a daily basis to silence the Christian while making the First Amendment of none effect. This would mean that Christians would fall under bondage to the State which is exactly what the founding fathers sought to prevent. Yet The Constitution stands strong proving the citizens of the United States freedom from an oppressive government. Even more the freedoms spelled out in The Constitution are a type of the freedoms exemplified in biblical text.

     Freedom is not a matter provided by the bondage of mankind rather it is a lifestyle provided by a God that desires that His people be free. That freedom is guaranteed by biblical texts and is bolstered by the words of The Constitution.