The title of this article is most remembered from a speech given by Patrick Henry in Richmond, Virginia on March 20, 1775 at St. John’s church where they were holding the second Virginia Convention. Although many may still remember this famous quote from a staunch Christian who, by the way, would not endorse the Constitution, nor attend the Constitutional Convention, because he knew that the document would eventually be the downfall of America and obviously, he has been proven right. Very few, if any, truly understand the depth and meaning of these famous words. That, too, is very obvious! If Americans could comprehend Henry’s heartfelt commitment, our nation would not be the God hating, reprobate nation it is today!
Please bear with me as I lay the foundation for the point I would like to make in this article. Most won’t understand what is written, simply because they either are not born again Christians, or are still too immature in Christ and His Word to comprehend The Message. While I am certain that many will probably be offended at the statement just made, it is only further proof of their immaturity. Move on with me now, if you want.
The generation of Patrick Henry’s time overall, whether Christian or not, still had instilled in their minds that basic moral laws must be maintained and upheld! If anyone dared defile and break the basic moral code that was expected and demanded to be lived by, and that governed society, their punishment was swift and severe. This fact is the reason that God Almighty allowed this generation to throw off the chains of tyranny! And the lack of this biblical moral foundation in America today is the reason why He will not allow the same in this generation!
Although we hear all around us the cry for liberty and freedom, it has become nothing but “damned” foolishness! (Ps. 14:1) Americans have become so brutish, (stupid), and arrogant, that they have “deliberately” forgotten that a people who will not govern themselves by the basic moral concepts taught in God’s Word, and that unbridled, immoral “freedom” can only cause a complete deterioration of their society! And inevitably they find themselves in complete and total slavery, spiritually, mentally and physically!
For many years I have heard hoards of well intentioned people who call themselves patriots, calling for a return and adherence to the documents written by some of our Founders. Namely, the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and the original U.S. Constitution. Folks, no matter how well written, factual and accurate all of these writings and documents were, they are completely and surely inadequate and non-applicable for America today! They simply are not adequate in and of themselves to produce or maintain a free society. The desire and demand to return to, trust in, and memorize these writing can, and now have even become an idolatrous concept and endeavor. Quite frankly folks, to even suggest, encourage and promote the idea that any manmade ideals, documents, or systems of any type, without acknowledging the necessity of the moral standards of God’s Word as the foundation to build on, is remarkably arrogant, stupid and simply insane!
When men of great Godly, moral character such as Patrick Henry, made a plea for freedom and liberty, they understood that true liberty and freedom could only be maintained by a people willing to “govern” themselves with God’s righteous laws written in their hearts. For people of such moral character needed no manmade law system to govern them. They were “self” governing. External laws are just needed for wicked men. (I Tim. 1:9) In addition, to be worthy of true liberty through God’s teachings, they simply would not tolerate an “unrighteous” government! As Samuel Adams said, “While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when they lose their virtue, they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.” Mr. Adams summed up, in one sentence, the reason why Americans are now enslaved and loving more freedoms every day. What’s even worse is the fact that most Americans still believe they are a free people! As Goethe said, “none are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free”!
American cannot, and will not be healed and blessed with her former greatness without the “goodness” that once was the common thread of righteous morality, judgment and justice that held man’s sinful nature in check.
You see folks, as Alexis Detocqueville said, concerning this in his “fact finding” trip to America,
“I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America in her harbors…; in her fertile fields and boundless forests; in her rich mines and vast world commerce; in her public school system and institutions of learning. I sought for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution.
Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits FLAME with RIGHTEOUSNESS did I understand the secret of her genius and power.
America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, American will cease to be great.”
As I said in the beginning of this article concerning Patrick Henry’s quote, “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?”, the answer to the above quote for most Americans is “yes”! Life is far too dear to give up today! An immoral people becomes self centered, selfish, soft, lazy and unconcerned for what happens to others, such as 140,000,000 murdered children, that preserving their temporary welfare in this world is far more important than sacrificing themselves for anyone else, including The God Who created them! S.I.N.=Self Indulgent Narcissist!
As Alexander Solzhenitsyn stated, “Survival is not the be-all and end-all of a life worthy of man. Sometimes, the worst thing that we can know about a man is that he survived. Those who say that life is worth living at any cost, have already written for themselves an epitaph of infancy, for there is no cause and no person that they will not betray to stay alive.”
In closing, I will make one final statement to upset more folks. Patriotism, voting, rioting, rallying, meetings and “church revivals” without true, genuine, heart rendering repentance, there simply is no hope or help for America! We need to quit kidding ourselves!
In Christ’s service,
© 2018 Butch Paugh – All Rights Reserved
E-Mail Butch Paugh: ctdm@hotmail.com
