September 23, 2026
We the People
“We the people” - three words that changed the world.
These opening words of the United States Constitution made a strong and radical declaration. They fundamentally shifted how people understood political power in the modern world, asserting the premise that the legitimate authority of government derives solely from the consent of the governed. Before the American Revolution, political thought largely relied on what was considered the “divine right of kings,” where power flowed downward from monarchs to the subjects.
Influenced by philosophers like John Locke, from whom the Founders also borrowed the phrase “appeal to heaven,” America’s Framers inverted this hierarchy. By asserting that “We the People” established the Constitution, they were stating that the government possessed no inherent rights of its own. Instead, citizens held inherent (and God-given) rights to create their government, for the purpose of protecting their peace, safety, and liberty.
Many power-hungry American politicians, not born to royalty in a monarchy, now resort to a myriad of loopholes and misapplications to retain power and force their will on citizens. And, of course, many of them do so to gain wealth. It is incumbent upon “we the people,” therefore, to remain vigilant and oversee them, something we haven’t always done well. Ben Franklin’s statement that the Framers had created “a republic, if you can keep it,” has never been more frighteningly appropriate.
“We the people,” of course, becomes unavoidably broken down into people groups: conservatives, liberals, leftists, and recently, Marxists and communists. And let’s not forget “we the evangelicals,” the so-called Bible-believing Christians, said to still be the largest voting bloc of Americans, potentially, that is. Sadly, many evangelicals no longer believe in “we the people.” They have been taught by their leaders that “we the church” are too holy and “set apart” from this somewhat defiled political system to get involved. And the theologies of many – their belief that “God is in control of everything, He’ll determine who is in power” – insulate them from any responsibility for the outcome. (I’ve never really figured out why this group is allowed to speak derogatorily of governmental decisions, policies, and consequences, since that would be criticizing God’s performance and decisions.)
Even though many church leaders simply won’t embrace the “we the people” concept and speak up to help create a righteous government, we evangelicals are not without recourse. We have influence in the lives of our friends in the pews. And these believers are open! Many are desperate for change in our nation, truly appalled by the level of evil and corruption in our land. They don’t want children trafficked and abused, Islamists taking over our cities, and kindergarten children groomed by drag queens, nor do they believe God has chosen to “allow” this. They realize man’s free will is the culprit. With a nudge from a friend or family member - not condemning words and insults - they would vote to change it. Some might even spread the word to others. Believers actually WANT input and advice from the silent pastors regarding the issues our country is facing.
A few years ago, George Barna conducted a poll entitled, “What Would People Like to Hear About in Church Sermons?” The poll showed Christians’ broad interest in topics related to governance and social issues. When asked about interest in these topics, a clear majority of Christians expressed a desire to learn more:
Abortion - 91%
Beginning of life, right to life, contraception, adoption, unwed mothers
Religious persecution/liberty - 86%
Personal duty vs. government duty, church response, global conditions
Poverty - 85%
Personal duty vs. government role, church response, homelessness, hunger, dependency
Cultural restoration - 83%
Appropriate morals, law and order, defensible values and norms, self-government
Sexual identity - 82%
Same-sex marriage, transgenderism, marriage, LGBT
Israel - 80%
Role in the world, Christian responsibility to Israel, US foreign policy toward Israel and her enemies
Christian Heritage - 79%
Role of Christian faith in American history, the church's role in U.S. development, modern-day relevance
Role of Government - 76%
Biblical view, church-state relationship, personal responsibility, limitations
Bioethics - 76%
cloning, euthanasia, genetic engineering, cryogenics, organ donation, surrogacy
Self-governance - 75%
biblical support, personal conduct, impact on freedom, national sovereignty
Church in politics/government - 73%
separation of church and state, legal boundaries, church resistance to government
Islam - 72%
core beliefs, response to Islamic aggression, a threat to U.S. peace and domestic tranquility.
According to Mark Burrell in his book Rediscovering the American Covenant, people in the pews were asking for biblical guidance on these issues, which are certainly some of the most relevant and important of our time. The survey also asked pastors whether they planned to discuss these topics from the pulpit. The results? Only 14% answered “Yes.”(1)
Is this last question’s response not one of the most appalling reports you’ve heard? It isn’t that the people don’t want to hear it; it’s that the pastors are too afraid – or too uninformed – to discuss it!
But if your pastor won’t speak up, you can. Yesterday’s post mentions a good way to do so. You can also encourage them to tune in to Flashpoint, or perhaps read/listen to the Give Him 15 posts. Other biblically based voices are speaking out for involvement in government; help connect them. And especially encourage them to vote, and to do so for biblical values.
It’s time for “we the church” to realize we are also “we the people.”
Pray with me:
Father, we agree with Founder Sam Adams, who declared when America was born that Your sovereign will was being released; You “to whom alone men ought to be obedient.” He continued by adding, “Our God reigns in heaven, and…from the rising to the setting of the sun, His Kingdom will come.”(2) We agree with John Quincy Adams, who declared that “the highest glory of the American Revolution was that it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.”(3) We ask You to help us restore these truths back into the core of American life and thinking.
We ask for fire to return to America’s churches, the fires of revival. We ask for bold, fearless, biblical preaching and teaching to be resurrected. We ask that passion for You and Your presence would return, an insatiable hunger for You and Your Word. Convict us where we have bowed to an unbiblical government, the culture around us, unrighteous education systems, and mooringless courts and judges. Forgive us for allowing these and other things to steal the seed of Your Word, causing it to be unfruitful. Release Your river here and around the world. We pray these things in Christ’s name, amen.
Our decree:
We declare that the church of America will awaken to her responsibility of helping reshape America back to her God-given purposes.
Click on the link below to watch the video.
Adapted from Rediscovering the American Covenant, Mike Burrell (Washington, D.C.: Ballast Books, LLC, 2022), pp. 28-29.
William J. Federer, America’s God and Country (Coppell, TX: FAME Publishing, Inc., 1994), p. 23.
Ibid. p. 15.
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