“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters
discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the
majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the
result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The
average age of the world's greatest civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed
through this sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; From spiritual faith to great courage; From
courage to liberty; From liberty to abundance; From abundance to selfishness; From selfishness to
apathy; From apathy to dependence; From dependence back into bondage.”
That quote is attributed to Alexander Fraser Tytler, a Scottish man. However, when I looked it up on the
internet, I found that there are questions about who, if anyone, actually said those exact words. In fact,
almost every discussion about that quote seemed to center on who said it or is it just a patchwork of
thoughts that made it to a newspaper in 1951. However, read it a few times and let those thoughts sink
in. I think you’ll agree with me that it is a sound, rational, and provable statement. Which is kind of
scary.
Pay attention to the second part about the sequence where a people find themselves on a journey from
bondage to bondage. Take note of the first step out of bondage: it is spiritual faith. Even secular
philosophers and historians understand that seeking a relationship with God is the catalyst of freedom.
True freedom. What happens after we reach abundance is acknowledged and warned against by Peter
in 1 Peter 2:16: “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s
slaves” Paul also said in Galatians 5:13: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not
use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
If, when we tasted true freedom because of our relationship with our Creator, we became students and
practitioners of the Word, and not allow our carnal minds to regain control of our passions and actions,
we would find ourselves a very long way from entering into bondage again. I like the way Peter put it:
“live as God’s slaves”. That is, we voluntarily commit ourselves to total obedience to God. Then, and
only then, can we taste the ultimate sweetness of total freedom.
Say good things about your Savior and His church on this bluff.
discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the
majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the
result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The
average age of the world's greatest civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed
through this sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; From spiritual faith to great courage; From
courage to liberty; From liberty to abundance; From abundance to selfishness; From selfishness to
apathy; From apathy to dependence; From dependence back into bondage.”
That quote is attributed to Alexander Fraser Tytler, a Scottish man. However, when I looked it up on the
internet, I found that there are questions about who, if anyone, actually said those exact words. In fact,
almost every discussion about that quote seemed to center on who said it or is it just a patchwork of
thoughts that made it to a newspaper in 1951. However, read it a few times and let those thoughts sink
in. I think you’ll agree with me that it is a sound, rational, and provable statement. Which is kind of
scary.
Pay attention to the second part about the sequence where a people find themselves on a journey from
bondage to bondage. Take note of the first step out of bondage: it is spiritual faith. Even secular
philosophers and historians understand that seeking a relationship with God is the catalyst of freedom.
True freedom. What happens after we reach abundance is acknowledged and warned against by Peter
in 1 Peter 2:16: “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s
slaves” Paul also said in Galatians 5:13: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not
use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
If, when we tasted true freedom because of our relationship with our Creator, we became students and
practitioners of the Word, and not allow our carnal minds to regain control of our passions and actions,
we would find ourselves a very long way from entering into bondage again. I like the way Peter put it:
“live as God’s slaves”. That is, we voluntarily commit ourselves to total obedience to God. Then, and
only then, can we taste the ultimate sweetness of total freedom.
Say good things about your Savior and His church on this bluff.
Bro. Tony