And Jesus answered and 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)

God Is Not An American

When the fathers of the United States drafted the original constitution and amendments, they determined the inalienable rights of all citizens to freedom of speech, religion, the press, and the right to assemble peaceably and petition the government for a redress of grievances. The first ten Amendments went into effect on December 15, 1791. These Amendments, written by James Madison, were called the Bill of Rights and were the founding documents of the United States. They have become the cornerstone of almost two hundred fifty years of one of the greatest republics in the world. James Madison believed in God, framing much of his writings on his understanding of God. He was careful not to suggest that the government establish laws based on one religion.

Many of those who established the United States of America were devout believers of God as the all-powerful, wise, and good Father and that without a solid moral compass, would endanger the future of the infant land they had begun. Much of the history of the United States comes from the lives of myriads of people who believed in the Bible. They felt a kinship with God. Without a doubt, a belief in God formed much of the nation. The United States continues to have a strong presence of believers in God in one form or another. That number is shrinking with each generation.

Based upon the foundation of a Biblical view of history, sometimes the line is crossed when explaining the methods and means of government and the role of the Lord God. The lines are blurred when applying a characteristic of God to something that He never put His eternal seal on. A recent radio commentator observed that freedom of speech is a God-given right. One of the joys of being an American is the freedom of speech, whether it is criticizing the government or enjoying the blessings of faith in God. A day will come when the freedom of religious speech will be taken away, but that is not the case at present time. The ability to speak freely is a foundation of the United States of America’s Constitution but not a foundational freedom exercised through a relationship with God.

When pressed about paying taxes, Jesus was questioned about His allegiance to the Roman government. The Son of God established government and reminded the Pharisees and Herodians that whatever was required of Caesar must be paid and what was required of God must be obeyed. The two elements of authority, government, and God, were incompatible. God’s law superseded Roman law, but all citizens had to obey unless the government imposed a law contrary to God’s. Peter would later tell the Christians living under the rule of Caesar Nero to “honor the king.” That was not a choice but a command. Paul reminded the church in Rome that God established government.

What people confuse about the Constitution of the United States and the law of God is they are not identical nor compatible. There is no such thing as a ‘God-given right to free speech’ because God never authorized it. If the United States were under the rule of a dictator (like Nero or Domitian), there would be no freedom of speech. Christians would be subject to Roman law unless it conflicted with the law of God. Paying taxes is not a sin, but refusing to pay taxes can bring judgment from the One who established government. If the government suppresses freedom of speech, it does not break the law of God.

A God-given right is something based upon the word of God. It is a God-given right to love and forgive enemies. Salvation is a freely given God-given blessing of a benevolent Father. The forgiveness of sins does not come from the Bill of Rights but from the word of God. When a football team wins a game, God did not make that happen. Slugging a home run to deep left is not the power of God. Winning a gold medal at the Olympics is not an act of God’s kindness and love. There are things that God works in the events of the world. The wisdom of God builds nations up and brings nations down. He answers the prayers of His children and shows His power in their lives. Care must be taken when attributing things to God that He has nothing to do with.

The red, white, and blue are patriotic symbols of a great nation, but they do not share the morals, dogmas, and beliefs of the Almighty God. It becomes increasingly clear that America is less a nation under God and more and more a nation under attack by a godless society. God is not a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or a political party. He is not bound by the laws of the United States. Jesus Christ has been King of Kings for two thousand years, and that will not change with an event every four years in November. Regardless of what the laws of the land become, the only law that matters is the law of God.