I remember learning about the Revolutionary War as a kid. Like most boys, the old war stories were always interesting. Some I like more than others. The Revolutionary War was my favorite for the longest time, one because it told us who we are, it was a huge part of our identity as a nation, and therefore as a people. The other reason was because a bunch of brave men stood up against injustice and tyranny and fought for freedom. Such a noble thing, a thing that boys are supposed to look to, to emulate.
I am afraid however, I now have a very different view of the Revolutionary War. I still see the colonists fighting against oppression and injustice. But I now see the colonial people as rebellious, having gone against God’s will. There are those who will take very sharply against this position. Usually those people are the ones who pride themselves the most as being Americans. My friends, we are not to find our identity as Americans so much as we are to find it in our heavenly identity. As citizens of heaven, we should not take such pride in being from Texas, or the country, or New York City, or even this great country, America.
Let’s be honest with ourselves, let’s be good Bereans, and actually apply the concepts of Scripture, instead of just nodding our head at it, as if that is all that we are required to do. We are told to obey the authorities of the civil government; unless doing so would be to sin. There is no caveat that I have seen thus far, no exception to the rule. To peacefully protest, to petition and overturn laws, to reform the government is one thing. To outright go to war is rebellion.
And what was the reason we are told as kids? Being taxed (heavily) without being able to vote. This is a matter of sinning against God? This is a ‘just cause’ that falls under the God given mandate to submit to our civil authorities, unless it’s a matter of sin?
Part of me wants to stand up with the Founding Fathers of our country for part of me understands. But I am bound by something higher than a moral code, something higher than justice and liberty. What I must obey is the Maker of Heaven and earth, the Alpha and the Omega; what He has to say is far more important than our pathetic concepts of ‘justice’ and ‘freedom’. Only true justice and freedom is found in following and obeying the One True God.
