“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evil doers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” –1 Peter 2:11-12
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Someone sent me this list below on state constitutions that I found very interesting and thought that you would as well. But first, a few preparatory remarks would be in order.
The foundation for the very fabric of our society lies not solely in the rule of law, but in the rule of faith as well. The rule of law, by its very nature, protects and insures the values born out of faith; and faith, due to its very nature abhorres chaos, lawlessness, and injurious living; seeks to honor and protect the rule of law.
Though the times we live in are increasingly hostile to biblical Christianity, what a great opportunity we have to proclaim the glorious good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to let our light shine before others who are desperately in need of a Savior.
Therefore, as you pray, may I encourage to pray not for the protection of our religious rights; but to pray for those that God Himself has established, appointed and instituted as "His ministers" for the order and good of society. Pray for all your local, state, and federal authorities that govern our land. Pray that our elected officials would rule with justice, mercy, and sobriety. Pray for fellow-believers in government who have to walk between the tension of political expediency, compromise and biblical authority, that they would fulfill their duty to their constituents, calling, the constitution, and at the same time bring honor and glory to the Lord. Pray that they would have the strength of divine courage to live out convictions of conscience guided by "the word of truth" regardless of outcome or personal erosion to their legislative vocation. To be sure, our hope lies in the reality that God is in control of all things; that the one true Sovereign Judge of all raises men up to positions of authority and power; and brings men down to the valley of their own moorings and lusts; for His own purposes, after the counsel of His own will, for His glory alone, and for His eternal pleasure—-not ours (Cf, 1 Timothy 2:1-5; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13:17).
In light of this being an election season with religious "talk" playing nemesis to party line mantra, surely faith, freedom, family, and fortune will be at the center of the debate. And no issue fuels the debate and pragmatics of legislative design more than that of "the separation of church and state." There is this unexplained mass confusion on what the Founders of our Constitution truly intended in the First Amendment--which says: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Any pedestrian interpretation of that simple and profound statement is obvious and clear. But somewhere along the way our federal courts, including our Supreme Court, have reinterpreted the First Ammendment of the U. S. Constitution to mean that free speech about God, Jesus Christ and the Bible is prohibited on the property of or within the hallowed walls of government. This on the one hand is easily refuted by the simple fact that ALL fifty states acknowledge God in the very first sentences of their state constitutions as well as our own Supreme Court and both House and Senate of Congress; all of which begin their respective sessions with a prayer. Prayer, religious discussion, posting and reading of Scripture, witness of the gospel, etc. is not prohibited by our Constitution. In fact, its very freedom is protected.
Though all of The Founding Fathers were not genuine believers in Jesus Christ, it is obvious that they clearly did NOT intend for America to only propagate the sandy foundations of paganism; but to allow its citizenry the freedom of worship of God absent of a government institutionalized denomination. IOW, not a theocratic dictatorship, but a democratic republic.
Though I am not in favor of Christians using the legislative process to procure spiritual change, protect religious rights, or promote faith initiatives; I would encourage you to read the following extractions from every states consitution with an informed eye and I think you'll come to the same conclusion that I did, that the cross waves higher than the flag!
Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution ...
Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land ...
Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...
California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom ..
Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe.
Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy. . .
Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences ...
Florida 1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty establish this Constitution...
Georgia 1777, Preamble. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...
Hawaii 1959, Preamble. We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance ... establish this Constitution.
Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings ...
Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to chose our form of government.
Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings establish this Constitution
Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth of grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...
Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine .. acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity ... and imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland 1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe ... in the course of His Providence, and opportunity .and devoutly imploring His direction ...
Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this Constitution...
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings
Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
Missouri 1845, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness ... establish this Constitution ..
Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty. establish this Constitution . .
Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom .. establish this Constitution .
Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution....
New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors ..
New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty ..
New York 1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, a acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those ..
North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...
Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common ...
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty ... establish this ..
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences..
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of he State of South Carolina. grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties ... establish this
Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...
Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution ..
Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to.. enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man ...
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI ... Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator ... can be directed only by Reason ... and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other ...
Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution ...
West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia . reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility...
Wyoming 1890, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties... establish this Constitution...
If you found the above to be helpful, insightful, informative and thought-provoking, please send it to as many as you would like to. Encourage them to pray for those that the Lord has put into positions of authority over this land--elected and non-elected regardless of party bias or affiliation. And as well, for the Lord to send true revival and reformation in the church and our nation once again.
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