Later this week we will be
celebrating the 220th anniversary of the US Constitution. The Constitution is the document that
provides the framework for our government and is the foundation for our legal
system. It lists the rights that states
and citizens of this country have, and thus, our laws and policies revolve
around this document.
When I was in either the seventh
or eighth grade, we spent months discussing the different components of the US
Constitution. We studied the Bill of
Rights, memorized the Preamble, and gained a good understanding of the separation of powers the three branches of
the government have in order for the US government to operate effectively and
efficiently. Later, as a classroom
teacher, I highlighted the US Constitution in the sixth grade classroom, asking
my students to prepare a PowerPoint presentation on one of the writers and to
comment on what they think life would be like if one of the rights listed was
taken away. For some this was a "chore,"
but for others they enjoyed the process of thinking about what life would be
like if these individuals hadn't worked together to express ideas and create a
document that has stood the test of time.
As Christians, we also have a book
that provides the framework for our Christian faith and is a foundational piece
to all of the practices our Lutheran church body has followed throughout the
years. This document also lists the
rights we have as citizens of the kingdom that reigns forever. This document has stood firm through
different tests of thought as new cults and unchristian denominations have
sprung up over the years. Often these
religious organizations write their own handbook, yet the inspired Word of God,
as revealed in the Holy Bible, is the only one that continues to be backed up
geographically, archeologically, and historically.
The Bible's framework is the fulfillment
of the promise of Christ's death and resurrection. Everything revolves around this promise, starting
with the banishment of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden to the apostles'
sharing the message of Christ's love and peace with the Jews and Gentiles
throughout Asia and Europe. This promise
is even being fulfilled today when His chosen people express the Good News in their
communities and beyond.
This document doesn't define the
supreme powers as three different bodies having a separation of powers, but
instead a God who is one in three persons, each having distinct characteristics,
but still comprising one almighty God.
As we read through the Bible, we see the roles each person of the
Trinity plays in the hearts of people.
We see a Father who loved us, who gave His Son to redeem us, and
bestowed upon us the Holy Spirit so we can understand the gift.
The occupations of the writers of
the Constitution and the Bible were varied. The writers of the Constitution
were inspired from within, however the biblical writers were inspired by the Holy
Spirit. The Bible is a resource that
provides answers to questions; it's a source of comfort and strength, and it documents
the trials others had that are comparable to the problems we experience today. And since Adam, Christ is still the answer.
Both documents are invaluable to
our way of life, however as 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 says, the Scriptures surpass any
man made document because it is "useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and
training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for
every good work." May we always look to God's Word foremost as
we face life's struggles and rejoice in its joys!
Enjoying the ride,
Jane
