by Barbara Latta
The Declaration of Independence states that all men were created
equal.
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| The Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal. |
It’s obvious all people on the earth are not equal. Many are
enslaved, reduced to poverty, suffer from social injustice and abuse. So where does
equality come from and what does it really mean?
The signers of our independence document recognized God as
the Creator of all men. As the sovereign Lord, He made mankind in His image.
Each person is born as a human being with the ability to
commune with their creator if they so choose.
And that is the key. Choice.
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to
Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of
the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping
thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image
of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and
God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it;
and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every
living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26-28 NASB).
Adam and Eve had a choice and they chose to rebel against
God.
That rebellious spirit has been passed on to every human
born since that time.
Because of that rebellious spirit, those who choose to
continue to disobey God exalt themselves in some positions of authority and
inflict oppression on to others.
This is what causes humanity to be in classes of inequality
today.
Oppression comes from other people. Dictators choose to
inflict domination onto citizens; human traffickers take it upon themselves to
think they can own another person because of their own selfish desires; socialism
prevents citizens from owning their own property.
The earth is the Lord’s and all it contains, the world, and
those who dwell in it (Psalm 34:1).
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| The signers of the Declaration of Independence recognized God as the Creator of all men. |
God created the earth and gave it to the people He created. But
He intended that creation to be used for good and not evil. Romans 13:1-4 tell
us that God ordained the authority of government because people choose to be
rebellious. But because there are evil leaders who obtain high positions, wisdom
is required as to how far obedience should go.
And Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that
are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” (Mark 12:17).
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God
rather than men,” (Acts 5:29).
The Founding Fathers of America recognized that God is the
giver of rights. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is a God-given
gift. But because of the selfishness of mankind those rights are denied to parts
of the world by ungodly leaders who want to be in charge.
Those of us who live in the United States have been given a
gift that most of the world does not have. America has been a light and
supportive arm to the nations of the world who have been attacked and
oppressed. If that light is put out, how can others be helped? We have a
foundation that was built on righteousness and that’s why our enemy, Satan,
opposes it.
People are created equal in God’s eyes. Inequality comes from mankind and because of
sinful rebellion the rights of equality had to be fought for. That’s what the American
Revolution was all about.
Join the conversation and share your thoughts.
You have put into words what I have always known intuitively. I'm going to keep this post as a reference when this topic comes up in conversation. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLinda, thank you for taking the time to stop by and share your comments. I appreciate your kind words. Happy Independence Day and be blessed!
DeleteEquality starts at the individual level. Do we, as Christians, treat every human being with dignity? Do we see those we disagree with as individuals made in the image of God, knit together by God in their mother's womb (Psalm 139:13)? One of the struggles in the church is that we don't believe in equality. We look down at non-believers or political rivals rather than having compassion.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Joshua. Christ left the perfect example to us as He valued each human the same. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteTo echo Mr. Joshua Masters, we the body of Christ must first put aside our own biases and opinions and learn to love as Christ showed us. Once we can find true equality within the body itself (not divided by denomination or doctrine, but united in agape love), then we can truly impact this world.
ReplyDeleteYes, J.D., that is where we are lacking and still need to put our selves aside and follow what Christ taught. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteGod created us to do good, but I agree that our sinful nature gets in the way of us fulfilling His will. Humankind cannot subdue our tendency toward evil without God's guidance. If only we would turn to Him in prayer and seek His purpose for our world. As you say, America is a light for freedom--I pray we never forget to seek our Lord's guidance in that mission.
ReplyDeleteI pray that we never forget our mission as well, Katherine. For when we do the light will go out. Thanks for stopping by. Blessings!
DeleteWe have human rights because they were endowed by our Creator. I agree that when we as humans try to dole out rights, that is when inequalities rise. I need to pray for God's eyes of love for others, even if they aren't like me. Thanks for your post.
ReplyDeleteYes, only through the Holy Spirit can we see others as God does. Thank you, Joanna, for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteThank you Barbara. You issued a convicting call on many levels. Joshua Masters expressed it well as did Joanna is asking God to give us a love for people, especially those who aren't quite like me.
ReplyDeleteIt’s only through Him that we can do that. Amen. Thanks for sharing, Marilyn. Blessings!
DeleteI don't think that most people take the time to consider what the framers meant in the Declaration of Independence. They didn't meant we were supposed to make everyone equal, but to acknowledge that we are all equally created in the image of God. Great perspective!
ReplyDeleteI think the point they were trying to impress upon the King of England is that men were made equally by God and that King didn't have the power to take away that right. Thanks, Jennifer. Blessings!
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