I am a Christian first of all and second of all a Constitutionalist. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America with liberty and justice for all. However, I do realize liberty is not that one is free to do as one pleases without accountability for the consequences of one’s actions. Our heritage of liberty means that we are not owned or enslaved by another person or power.

Real freedom is not the external freedom to gratify every appetite; it is the internal freedom not to be enslaved by our appetites. Our individual and corporate freedom exists within the boundaries of ethical and moral responsibility. True liberty calls on us to express ourselves with civility and to respect the rights of those who think differently to do the same.

Justice is commonly perceived as “the assignment of merited rewards or punishment.” But the Old Testament prophets, especially Amos, knew that justice is much more than being affirmed for right behavior or punished for bad behavior. Justice strives to create viable opportunities for all persons to succeed economically, vocationally and socially. Real justice seeks to create opportunities for the disadvantaged.

The phrase “for all” is inclusive, not discriminatory. “For all” means we aim to provide and protect liberty and justice for all individuals regardless of gender, race, economic status, political ideology or religious background. To preserve liberty and justice for the privileged few is indicative of a shallow theology and an uninformed patriotism.

Liberty and justice are not just political ideals. They are social tenets that affirm intrinsic human worth, and spiritual values that reflect the image of our Creator, ultimately experienced through the liberty we find in Christ. John 8:32 declares, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free,” and Amos 5:24 urges, “Let justice roll on like a river.” As true Americans in order to truly “let freedom ring,” we must be students and executors of justice in as stated in the Bible and Constitution.