Laws of Divine Establishment

The laws of divine establishment define freedom in terms of privacy, property and authority. God has ordained certain laws for the survival and freedom of the human race. Anarchy exists when segments of nations ignore these laws. The laws of divine establishment provide the freedom in a nation to fulfill God's plan just as He ordained in the Divine Decrees. These freedoms are designed to function under many different types of government.

The laws of divine establishment are designed for believers and unbelievers. Divine establishment laws depend on authority orientation and directly affects freedom, civilization, authority, evangelism, spiritual growth, and perpetuation of the human race. They are very important. No one can enjoy life’s freedoms without authority orientation.

Human freedom depends on the availability of personal privacy and the function of legitimate authority to maintain that privacy. You must have respect for people by giving them their privacy. The laws of divine establishment were designed to protect human freedoms so that the Gospel of Jesus Christ could be freely disseminated. Freedom to accept or reject Jesus Christ as Savior should be available to anyone without coercion or punishment. A person’s decision to either have a personal relationship with God or to reject such a relationship should be a private matter.

The laws of divine establishment protect the uncoerced expression of individual free will in a society. The government of that society that allows free will expression when given the Gospel of Jesus Christ or other religious freedoms is a government that is fulfilling the laws of divine establishment.

The Four Divine Institutions

God has ordained certain institutions for the orderly preservation of the human race and to maximize personal freedom and therefore maximize evangelism. God set up the four Divine Institutions - Volition, Marriage, Family, and Nationalism for the entire human race, not for believers only. The divine purpose for the Divine Institutions is for the preservation of the human race, so that the angelic conflict can run its course, and so that the human race will remain free to accept Jesus Christ or reject Him. Divine Institutions are different from Christian institutions such as the local church which are for believers only. Divine institutions are found in Genesis 2-11. In each, there is divinely authorized authority.

Divine Institution 1 - Volition

Volition is the right to decide to be either dependent upon God or to act independently of Him. Each member of the human race has the personal authority to make their own decisions and to be responsible for those decisions. This authority of your volition should give you confidence in your own decisions.

For example, Adam and Eve in the Garden made a decision to be married. In Genesis 2-3, the animals were named by Adam and choices were made in the Garden as to the forbidden fruit. They both decided, based on their own free will, to disobey God's singular mandate to not eat the fruit on a single tree in the Garden. This single command from God was the very first time in human history that volition became an issue. Gen. 2:16-17.

“The LORD God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die."” (Genesis 2:16-17, NASB)

Under maximum freedom under innocence in the Garden, there was but one law - “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat.” Under maximum freedom, there are laws to be respected. The Ten Commandments were given from God to the Israelites as a Magna Carta of human freedom. Exodus 20:2-3.

“"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. "You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:2-3, NASB)

The soul is made up of self-consciousness, mentality, emotion, and volition as the authority of the soul. Our soul’s authority is called volition or free will or self-determination. Your decisions and choices determine the life that you will lead. Volition provides each of us the authority to obey or disobey when given a choice. With your personal choices comes responsibility for the consequences for those decisions, intended or unintended. Your volition is your authority to make good decisions from a position of strength or bad decisions from a position of weakness.

The most critical choices in life are whether to accept or reject the existence of God (God-consciousness) and then to either accept or reject the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross for the sins of mankind. Following those positive volition decisions, the believer’s decisions determine the level of spiritual growth that they will attain in this life. For the ones who reject the existence of God and then reject the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross, their eternal path remains unchanged – the Lake of Fire. John 3:36.

“"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."” (John 3:36, NASB)

Human freedom cannot exist without privacy and authority. We must have freedom and privacy for the proper function our free will. This is why the laws of divine establishment are so important. However, it is still possible to exercise spiritual freedom while under a loss of human freedom such as living under slavery. For example, in the Roman Empire, slaves were generally free to come and go and could still be evangelized and grow spiritually. See category on Volition.

Divine Institution 2 – Marriage

The Divine Institution of Marriage is the most basic and fundamental organization in the human race. Marriage is also a basic organization in any nation. God has ordained marriage to be a man-woman relationship since the first marriage. Jesus Christ performed the first marriage in the Garden of Eden when He brought to Adam the perfect woman for Adam that He had constructed from Adam’s rib. Gen. 2:18; Gen. 2:22-23.

“Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."” (Genesis 2:18, NASB)

“The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man."” (Genesis 2:22-23, NASB)

The first marriage of the human race continued after the Fall. The Divine Institution of Marriage has never been cancelled by God in any generation. Marriage has always been a permanent relationship between one man and one woman. 1 Cor 7:2-4; Eph. 5:22-23.

“But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband. The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.” (1 Corinthians 7:2-4, NASB)

“Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.” (Ephesians 5:22-23, NASB)

The husband-wife relationship in marriage is the normal and legitimate expression of soul rapport love and sexual love. Eph. 5:28; Eph. 5:33; 1 Cor. 7:9; Heb. 13:4.

“So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;” (Ephesians 5:28, NASB)

“Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33, NASB)

“But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” (1 Corinthians 7:9, NASB)

“Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” (Hebrews 13:4, NASB)

Husband is the authority in marriage and the head of the home. Marriage is for believers and unbelievers. If the Divine Institution of Marriage is violated on a widespread scale, a nation can be destroyed. Marriage is the basis for stability in society and for the formation of civilization. It is the protection for the home where the parents exercise authority over the children. Gen. 3:16; Col. 3:18-19. See category on Marriage Principles.

“To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth, In pain you will bring forth children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you.”“ (Genesis 3:16, NASB)

“Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.” (Colossians 3:18-19, NASB)

Divine Institution 3 – Family

The Divine Institution of Family is the institution set up by God to raise and train children with respect for authority, respect for the rights of others, respect for the privacy of others, respect for common law, respect for the property of others, plus many other principles. Genesis 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Parents have authority over their children in this institution until they reach adulthood.

The purpose of the authority of parents is to protect, teach, and discipline their children to prepare them for life. Parents who do not exercise their authority over their children and instead seek to befriend their children have abdicated their God-given purpose. Parents should seek the respect and obedience of their children first. Their children must first be authority oriented to certain principles in life. Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20.

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH." (Ephesians 6:1-3, NASB)

"Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord." (Colossians 3:20, NASB)

Adults do not have to explain their volitional decisions to their children. Adults have privileges that children do not have in matters of volition. Responsibility is not a volitional thing. Responsibility is an absolute. A choice was not given in responsibilities. Our decisions are not to be made on the basis of societal pressure. Something is not to be done because the community did it or because the neighbors did it.

The decisions were made by the parents and not as a family co-operative. Parents make better decisions than children. Parents do not always make the right decisions. Parents do not always know the right decision to make. The parents’ goal for their children should be to excel and operate to peak capacity in school, get good grades, focus daily on the intake and application of Bible doctrine, etc. Parents’ responsibility is to instill a respect for the Word of God and the teaching of Bible doctrine. This spiritual responsibility is the highest responsibility that parents have. Deut. 6:6-9.

“"These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. "You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9, NASB)

We should all strive to be the best at what we do. We are to do everything as unto the Lord. If you realize that you are not the best at what you do, then you should reassess your performance and then retrain, take classes, etc. to aim to become the best. However, your pursuit of being the best at what you do should adhere to the principles of Bible doctrine in order to say you are working as unto the Lord. While others may climb or run over people to excel, you as a believer in Jesus Christ are held to a far higher standard.

Parents who truly love their children will teach critical authority orientation principles using forms of discipline. Children must be taught to respect the privacy, property, and rights of others. They must be taught to not abuse their freedom and to respect the systems of authority in the society in which they live. See category on The Family.

Divine Institution 4 – Nationalism

Nationalism is the means of protecting and preserving the human race so that no segment of individuals gain enough power to destroy the rest of the human race and eventually themselves. Nationalism is a human barrier against the supremacy of evil in the world controlled by Satan and protects from the power lust of the old sin nature. Nationalism is authorized by God. Gen. 10:5; Deut. 32:8; Acts 17:26-28.

“From these the coastlands of the nations were separated into their lands, every one according to his language, according to their families, into their nations.” (Genesis 10:5, NASB)

“"When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, When He separated the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples According to the number of the sons of Israel.” (Deuteronomy 32:8, NASB)

“and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.'” (Acts 17:26-28, NASB)

The purpose of nationalism is to provide protection so that the individual volition can operate under maximum freedom and liberty. In contrast, internationalism is anti-biblical. Organizations that espouse internationalism operate under a system of evil. These include the United Nations, organizations or governments that promote socialism or communism, organizations that promote the international redistribution of wealth, and any religious or political group that is international in scope.

Government has divinely-delegated authority that is vested in the governmental leaders of each nation. This includes common law (judges on the bench and policemen) and the laws of limitation for the benefit of others (civil code, driver’s license, etc.) Gen. 11:1-9; Rom. 13:1; 1 Tim. 2.

“Now the whole earth used the same language and the same words. It came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. They said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly.” And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” The LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. The LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them. “Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth; and they stopped building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of the whole earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of the whole earth.” (Genesis 11:1-9, NASB)

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” (Romans 13:1, NASB)

God is not the author of confusion. 1 Cor. 14:40.

“But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.” (1 Corinthians 14:40, NASB)

Resistance to authority can lead to criminal activity. Subscribing to any form of internationalism opposes Divine Institution 4 - Nationalism. Religion also opposes divinely established authority because religion always sponsors internationalism. Socialism challenges established authority because it tries to make everyone equal. Volition gives everyone the right to choose a vocation. Romans 13:2.

“Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.” (Romans 13:2, NASB)

Rulers have the authority to uphold the laws of their land. The principle of authority is to reward the good and prosecute the evil, criminal activity or violation of common law. Rom. 13:3.

“For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;” (Romans 13:3, NASB)

For enforcing the laws of the land, there are various degrees of punishment including capital punishment. In Romans 13:4, “bear the sword” refers to the Roman method of capital punishment for Roman citizens - beheading. Today it would be the electric chair, gas chamber, chemical injection, hanging, etc. This is God’s approved method of removing the mad dogs of society following legal due process for that nation.

“for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.” (Romans 13:4, NASB)

The principle of subjection to the law occurs in two ways. Some are restrained by fear of the government’s wrath. Some are restrained by their conscience. Rom. 13:5.

“Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.” (Romans 13:5, NASB)

For financing the nation, God has ordained the principle of taxation - that is taxation with representation. In the U.S., we have federal income tax, state income taxes depending on which state you live in, sales tax, etc. There are also many other taxes embedded in what you buy, how you buy, where you buy, etc. All such taxes are divinely authorized. You might not like them, but the believer is mandated to adhere to such laws. Rom. 13:6-7.

“For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” (Romans 13:6-7, NASB)

When a national entity violates the Divine Institutions, the citizens of that country are under obligation to the Word of God and not the slavery laws of that country which usually means miraculous deliverance or death.

National confusion due to rejection of God’s Divine Institutions is seen in Isaiah 24:2 and Jeremiah 6:13-19. The result of national rejection of God and His Word is never a good one.

“And the people will be like the priest, the servant like his master, the maid like her mistress, the buyer like the seller, the lender like the borrower, the creditor like the debtor.” (Isaiah 24:2, NASB)

““For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is greedy for gain, And from the prophet even to the priest Everyone deals falsely. “They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace. “Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; They did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time that I punish them, They shall be cast down,” says the LORD. Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ “And I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’ “Therefore hear, O nations, And know, O congregation, what is among them. “Hear, O earth: behold, I am bringing disaster on this people, The fruit of their plans, Because they have not listened to My words, And as for My law, they have rejected it also.” (Jeremiah 6:13-19, NASB)

Divine Establishment Characteristics of a Nation

There should be protection of freedom within the nation by a system of law enforcement, a judicial system that adheres to the written rule of law, a system of justice that places the burden of proof of guilt on the accuser rather than the accused, where testimony on a court of law relies on testimony based on facts rather than hearsay, and where no one can be tried twice for the same crime (double jeopardy).

The nation’s military should be well-trained and well-equipped to protect the nation from external enemies. The nation’s government should protect the freedoms and rights of its citizens based on use of legitimate power based on written law. The nation’s economy must be based on free enterprise and capitalism where private businesses are free to function within the written law without government interference.

The nation’s system of law protects the freedoms, rights, life, and property of its citizens. The nation’s culture should reflect the freedoms to worship God as the citizens wish, believers should be free to live their spiritual lives, there should be an established system of social mores that clearly defines morality, encourages patriotism, and promotes the future of the nation through the arts.

The nation should be governed with legally-defined powers to administer the proper function of tax collection, enforcement of written laws, an objective court system based on the rule of written law, and support for a well trained and equipped military.

The Ten Commandments Define Human Freedom

The Ten Commandments (the Decalogue) are part of the laws of divine establishment and were designed to protect human freedoms. They define freedom in terms of morality, privacy, property, and authority. Freedom is the basic heritage of a nation to God and is critical for the function of evangelism, spiritual growth, and missionary outreach. The Decalogue doesn't deal with sin but with human freedom because certain sins actually oppose human freedom.

The Ten Commandments were written by God on two stone tablets and then given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The record of the Ten Commandments can be found in Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21.

The First Commandment - Exodus 20:3.

The first commandment deals with worship of only The God to the absolute exclusion of other gods. There are many religions that worship other gods. The first commandment also prohibits mental or soul idolatry.

""You shall have no other gods before Me." (Exodus 20:3, NASB)

The Second Commandment - Exodus 20:4-6.

The second commandment deals with idols or objects that depict other gods (any likeness) to which people may render overt worship. This includes idols such as the golden calf of the Exodus, statues of God or Christ and “any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth” which includes worshipping fish, oxen, the cow, or any animal or bird or sea life.

""You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. "You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments." (Exodus 20:4-6, NASB)

In Exodus 20:5, “serve them” refers to providing sacrifices (animal), food, clothing, human sacrifices, and entering into the sexual activities of the Phallic Cult. “Am a jealous God” is an anthropopathism that conveys God the Father’s policy of forbidding idolatry in any form. This was for the protection of Israel and to keep the nation from moral and immoral degeneracy.

“Iniquities of the fathers” means that negative volition cannot be perpetuated past four generations. If so, divine discipline escalates to include death of the family line, war, famine, pestilence and the many forms of the five cycles of divine discipline on a nation that opposes God and turns away from His mandates. In Jeremiah’s day, negative volition for two generations resulted in the Fifth Cycle of Discipline. Exodus 20:6 shows the positive side of this commandment to them that have positive volition toward God and His commandments.

Overt idolatry is said to be contact with demons which destroys human freedom and ultimately the nation. 1 Cor. 10:19-21; Isaiah 2:8; Ezek. 6:4-6.

“What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” (1 Corinthians 10:19-21, NASB)

“Their land has also been filled with idols; They worship the work of their hands, That which their fingers have made.” (Isaiah 2:8, NASB)

“"So your altars will become desolate and your incense altars will be smashed; and I will make your slain fall in front of your idols. "I will also lay the dead bodies of the sons of Israel in front of their idols; and I will scatter your bones around your altars. "In all your dwellings, cities will become waste and the high places will be desolate, that your altars may become waste and desolate, your idols may be broken and brought to an end, your incense altars may be cut down, and your works may be blotted out.” (Ezekiel 6:4-6, NASB)

The Third Commandment - Exodus 20:7.

The third commandment means to take an oath using the name of God such as; “as God is my witness, such and such happened” or to use God’s name to cover your lies. You can try to coerce some girl to marry you by saying, “It’s God’s will or the Lord led me to you.”

""You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain." (Exodus 20:7, NASB)

“You shall not take” is the qal imperfect of נשׂא (nâśâ') plus the negative is used as a prohibition. Translation, you shall not lift up the voice. “In vain” is שׁוא (shâv') and means for an evil purpose, for vanity, for a false purpose, for worthlessness.

This commandment prohibits the use of God’s name for vain and unworthy objects including false testimony in the name of God in a court of law and false swearing in any phase of life like, “as God is my witness.” You are either telling the truth or lying. Don’t bring God into it either way! Other examples include “so help me God” or in most instances, “God willing” or “God strike me dead.” These false oaths are often connected with an exaggeration or a half-lie with the intention to deceive.

Therefore, this commandment prohibits using the name of God to cover a lie, attaching God’s will or God’s name to some project which you want to get through. God’s name is rightly used in prayer, praise, thanksgiving, unconditional love toward others, and doctrinal communication. God’s name is not to be used in profanity, lying, hate, or bullying a congregation to take a course of action.

The Decalogue is designed to defend human liberty and freedom. “Will not leave him unpunished” is the piel imperfect of נקה (nâqâh) and means that the Lord will not acquit him.

The Fourth Commandment - Exodus 20:8-10.

In the Jewish Age, Saturday provided freedom. In the Church Age, Sunday provides freedom. In Exodus 20:8, “Remember” is the qal infinitive absolute of זכר (zâkar) and refers to the frame of reference and memory center in the right lobe of the soul and means to think Bible doctrine. “Sabbath” is שׁבּת (shabbâth) and is taken from the verb “to rest.” “To keep it holy” is the piel infinitive of קדשׁ (qâdash) and means to set apart, to consecrate, to do something on that day they didn’t do on other days - to rest. This means a complete relaxation day. See category on The Sabbath.

""Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. "Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you." (Exodus 20:8-10, NASB)

The Sabbath also recognizes that people who work for a living have to have time to rest. People need to rest to get ready for the next week. Without some rest, you become a slave to your job. You need opportunity to exercise your freedom and personal volition outside the workplace.

The Fifth Commandment - Exodus 20:12.

The fifth commandment establishes authority early in everyone’s life. The first authority in life is that of your parents. The fifth commandment says honor not love. It is more important for children to recognize the authority of their parents than to love them. Love will follow later in life. Many a young person has gone back to their parents and said, “I want to thank you for not letting me run loose. I want to thank you for not letting me date at 16 when I was so stupid. Thank you for keeping me from doing various things when everyone else did. Thank you for putting your foot down.”

""Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you." (Exodus 20:12, NASB)

Honor means to recognize and orient to the authority of parents. Children who honor their parents in childhood and teenage years will live a longer life. See category on Authority Orientation.

The Sixth Commandment - Exodus 20:13.

The sixth commandment has to do with crime. God forbids murder, the unlawful taking of human life in private vengeance or otherwise. Murder is the basic violation of human freedom. People should live under the principle of “live and let live.” Killing is bona fide in justified warfare. Killing is bona fide in capital punishment. Killing is bona fide in protection of life, limb and protection of property in defense against criminals. See category on Murder.

""You shall not murder." (Exodus 20:13, NASB)

The Seventh Commandment - Exodus 20:14.

The seventh commandment deals with the sanctity of sex only within marriage of a man and his woman. Acceptance of sexual intercourse outside of marriage is a good indicator of the level of moral degeneracy of a society and a nation. Our Lord reminded us in Matthew 5:27-30 that the marriage sexual relationship must be guarded diligently. See category on Marriage, Sex in Marriage.

""You shall not commit adultery." (Exodus 20:14, NASB)

""You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. "If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. "If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell." (Matthew 5:27-30, NASB)

Adultery is both a sin and an attack on human freedom. Capacity for love and life is distorted and ruined, so that adultery not only abuses freedom, but destroys the possibility for happiness in life. A greater regard for the sanctity of marriage is needed today. Marriage vows are under attack today and many say they are not needed anymore and that marriage is outmoded. The Word of God says otherwise!

The Eighth Commandment - Exodus 20:15.

The eighth commandment emphasizes the right of private property and forbids theft or stealing that which you do not own. Theft has negative consequences in most societies. Where theft is allowed or such laws are not enforced, societal degeneracy results and freedom of property ownership is lost. Instead, we are to be content with what we have and trust God to supply all our needs in Christ Jesus. 1 Tim. 6:6; Phil. 4:19.

""You shall not steal." (Exodus 20:15, NASB)

"But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment." (1 Timothy 6:6, NASB)

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, NASB)

The Ninth Commandment - Exodus 20:16.

The ninth commandment emphasizes the protection of human freedom through objectivity in the function of the law. This commandment forbids the sins of libel, slander, deceit, and calls for the truth and nothing but the truth. The laws of evidence demand truth in courtroom testimony. Hearsay is not admissible as testimony.

""You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:16, NASB)

The ninth commandment forbids bribery and forgery and even the least suggestion contrary to truth. Such false witness is the most damaging in a court of law where false information is given or critical information is withheld to sway the outcome of the court’s decision. A nation and a society must function based on the rule of law. It cannot function properly with unchecked perjury, gossip and maligning.

The Tenth Commandment - Exodus 20:17.

The tenth commandment deals with desiring or coveting that which is not yours. This includes the possessions of others in all forms. “Covet” is חמד (châmad) and means to desire, to take pleasure in, to find delectable, to lust after.

""You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor."" (Exodus 20:17, NASB)

God has promised to meet all our needs, both spiritual and physical with His grace resources in the spiritual life. Bible doctrine in the soul produces a contentment with what God has provided. Phil. 4:19; Matt. 6:33; Heb. 13:5.

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, NASB)

""But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, NASB)

"Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,"" (Hebrews 13:5, NASB)

Authority Orientation

Functional society cannot exist without authority orientation. God delegates authorized authority under the laws of divine establishment for the human race to exist and prosper. This includes believers and unbelievers. These systems of authority provide for some to have jurisdiction over and responsibility for others.

The laws of divine establishment do not pertain to spiritual matters. That authority is the Word of God and the delegated authority delineated by Bible doctrine. Divinely delegated authority includes the authority of husband over wife, parents over children, teachers over students, coaches over athletes, management over labor, and police officers over the public under their jurisdiction. In marriage, the husband has the authority over the wife. Eph. 5:22; Col. 3:18.

“Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:22, NASB)

“Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” (Colossians 3:18, NASB)

Management has authority in business over those employed in that business. Such authority orientation allows the business to flourish. Healthy businesses provide stability for the local, regional, and national economies. Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22.

“Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ;” (Ephesians 6:5, NASB)

“Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.” (Colossians 3:22, NASB)

In the military, authority orientation is critical to preserving the freedom of the nation. Neh. 4:13-15. See category on Authority Orientation.

“then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears and bows. When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: "Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses." When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work.” (Nehemiah 4:13-15, NASB)

Spiritual Freedom Versus Human Freedom

The laws of divine establishment were designed by God to protect human freedom so that evangelism and spiritual advance can occur in every generation. These laws protect the privacy, property, freedom, and volition of mankind. Freedom is an extension of soul function that includes our volition, mentality, emotion, conscience, and self-consciousness.

The laws of divine establishment deal with human freedom for the human race (believer and unbeliever) while the Word of God deals with spiritual freedom for the believer only. Since man was created to resolve the Angelic Conflict, freedom is an extension of that conflict into human history. God provides His grace resources and your spiritual freedom to live the spiritual life regardless of your human circumstances. 2 Cor. 3:17; Psalms 119:45; Gal. 5:1.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17, NASB)

“And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts.” (Psalms 119:45, NASB)

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, NASB)

The Lord delineates the Christian responsibility in the civil area and in the spiritual area. When you advance spiritually to fulfill the plan of God for your life, you demonstrate that God's solutions are the only true solutions to problems in the nation. 1 Peter 2:13-14.

“Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.” (1 Peter 2:13-14, NASB)

Morality

Morality results from the observation of and conformity to the laws of divine establishment. Morality can be produced by the believer and unbeliever. Believers with civil responsibility also have a moral responsibility. The spiritual life is not morality, but is only one manifestation of the divine good produced in the spiritual life. The believer has a responsibility to their nation to obey the laws of divine establishment. The growing believer should never be anti-establishment or immoral.

Morality is the result of spiritual growth, but is not an indicator that you are spiritual. Unbelievers can be moral based on their adherence to the laws of divine establishment. Therefore, morality is not unique to the Christian way of life. Morality protects human freedom, but is not a means of obtaining eternal salvation. Gal. 2:16; Rom. 3:20; Titus 3:5.

“nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.” (Galatians 2:16, NASB)

“because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20, NASB)

“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3:5, NASB)

Human Freedom and the Military

Failure of the military to protect the nation from outside aggression means loss of freedom for those living in that nation. Such disastrous failure in battle can be caused by lack of leadership, inadequate training and planning, lack or moral and spiritual courage in the soul of the soldier, but mostly from poor authority orientation.

Human freedom is always related to authority orientation. Freedom without authority is anarchy. Authority without freedom is tyranny. The military character usually reflects the national character. Lack of support for or even opposition toward the military reduces the military’s effectiveness.

The soldiers within the military who come from a society of reversionistic, apostate, and degenerate people will render military training ineffective. Lack of authority orientation destroys the function of the military as the instrument of freedom. Military victory is also the means of maintaining peace between nations. Joshua 11:23; Psalms 46:7-9.

“So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD had spoken to Moses, and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Thus the land had rest from war.” (Joshua 11:23, NASB)

“The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire.” (Psalms 46:7-9, NASB)