THIS BLESSED REPUBLIC

"Jesus said to them, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they marveled at him." Mark 12:17 (ESV Copyright 2001)

In a Democracy, the majority rules. The government could say, "Those church people are always telling everyone else how they should live. Let’s make laws to ban churches."

The United States of America is not a democracy. It is a republic. In a democracy, the majority rules. They can pass laws without regard to the rights of minority. A republic is a form of government in which there are laws that limit the powers of government.

In a democracy, the majority could decide they don’t like a particular religion or the causes the believers of that church support and mock or outlaw it’s practice. In a republic, there are limits to the power of government over religion, among other things, which may be in the minority. In a republic, our right to "render unto God the things that are God’s" is protected.

Our republic is composed of Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Independents and others who have the right to believe as they do within our blessed republic—and an obligation to walk along side of their patriotic brothers and sisters to provide the limited services as defined in the Constitution—to "establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity." With the stroke of a pen on a document designed by you, Lord, we did ordain and establish the Constitution for the United States of America. Our republic has been a blessing to our citizens and to those around the world. Does that mean we are better than others around the world? It means we are unique and will fight to maintain our difference. Be proud of your own country and sing to the Lord its praises for all he has done for you.

Last week we entered into the Political Convention season of our country. As citizen, we have an obligation to hear both sides of the debate, to do our own reading and research, and to vote as the Lord directs in order to preserve our right to be that blessing and to "render unto God the things that are God’s." Let us pray:

"Father God, author of our Blessed Republic, we bow before you. You are our only king, the true and holy sovereign of our hearts. We ask this very day that you will open our minds and grant us the wisdom and courage to hear the true voices of our elected officials and those who aspire to serve us that we might discern the truth. Forgive us when we have been childish and lazy, when we have let others think for us. We are an educated people who have the capacity to understand issues, but we turn our minds from the debate and focus on fun and folly. You have blessed us with a government, unlike any other in all of time. Let us be the generation who preserved it and passed it along, in all your glory, to those who follow. In the name of Jesus, your son and our redeemer we pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp