The Founding Fathers knew that another element of freedom is that of physical force.
The 2nd Amendment to the Constitution, the "right to keep and bear arms," is the most important of our Bill of Rights. Without the ability to defend your rights, you will have no rights. America gained her freedom by the use of FORCE. America maintained her freedom in 1812 by the use of FORCE.
America helped to save the world from German aggression and Japanese aggression in two world wars in the 20th century by the use of FORCE.
America disabled the Soviet Union with the threat of SUPERIOR FORCE.
When a bully comes to infringe on your rights and make you miserable, you're going to need more than documents and discussion. You must have a POLICE FORCE that is ARMED to ENFORCE the laws and protect our freedoms.
One of the first things that must be done to take away freedom and destroy your rights is to outlaw private ownership of guns. (NAZI Germany is a prime example.)
When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.
In the OT, in Exodus 15:3, the Bible says that God is a "Man of War."
David said in Psalm 144:1 that God taught his "hands to war" and his "fingers to fight."
Jesus told the disciples to sell their cloaks, and "buy a sword" in Luke 22:36. Jesus wasn't telling them to get one to go hunting with, and neither were the Founding Fathers talking about gun ownership for hunters. No doubt the command of our Lord and the constitutional right of the American citizen is for our protection and self-defense.
The Pilgrims went to church with a Bible in one hand and a blunderbuss under their arm.
Many of the soldiers of the Revolution were Christians, and many of them were pastors, and they fought to free us from tyranny, and to give us our Bill of Rights.
Without guns, America would not be free. We would not be the greatest nation on the face of this earth.
Let me say thirdly and finally, that GUTS Made America Free!
The Founding Fathers were men of courage, of conviction, of principle, who knew that if the war was lost, they would hang. Benjamin Franklin said: "We must hang together, or we will hang separately."
When the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, they put their lives on the line for the cause of freedom.
The final line of the Declaration reads: "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."
In March 1775, one month before the Revolutionary War broke out, Patrick Henry said this: "There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations...The battle is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave... Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
One example of the courage of the American patriots the battle of Lexington. On April 19, 1775, the British marched through Lexington, Mass. On the lawn of the Congregational Church, the Minutemen assembled with their muskets. Their captain told them to hold their fire unless fired upon. The British commander told them to disperse, which they did, and to lay down their arms, which they did not. A shot was fired, and the first shot of the Revolutionary War was heard. The skirmish was over in two minutes. As the pastor looked over the dead and wounded, he said: "From this day will be dated the liberty of the world."
Approximately one year later the Declaration was signed, and the Revolution was on. Thank God He gave us the victory that we might enjoy the blessings of liberty, which include the freedom to worship God and preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Daniel Webster: "If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper. But if we and our posterity neglect its instruction and authority, no man can tell how suddenly a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury our glory in profound obscurity."
God, Guns and Guts Made America Free - I say, "Let's keep all three."
"Yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD." (Psalm 144:15)
"What Makes A Nation Great?" by Alexander Blackburn
Not serried ranks with flags unfurled, Nor armored ships that gird the world; Not hoarded wealth, nor busy mills, Not cattle on a thousand hills; Not sages wise, nor schools, nor laws, Not boasted deeds in freedom's cause; All these may be and yet the state In the eye of God be far from great.
That land is great which knows the Lord, Whose songs are guided by His word; Where justice rules 'twixt man and man, Where love controls in act and plan; Where breathing in his native air, Each soul finds joy in praise and prayer - Thus may our country, good and great, Be God's delight - man's best estate.
Are you saved? Are you studying your Bible? Are you living for Christ? I hope that you are. If you are not, our prayer is that you will come to know Christ as your Saviour today, get in the word of God, and live for Him.