02/20/12 CHURCH/STATE PRINCIPLES
Between February 20 and March 4 I posted several thoughts concerning the relationship of the Church to the State. Here is a compilation those thoughts.
MISDIRECTED APOLOGIES
The USA burned Korans in Afghanistan, by accident, and apologized to Afghanistan.
Between February 20 and March 4 I posted several thoughts concerning the relationship of the Church to the State. Here is a compilation those thoughts.
MISDIRECTED APOLOGIES
The USA burned Korans in Afghanistan, by accident, and apologized to Afghanistan.
The US Army burned Holy Bibles in Afghanistan INTENTIONALLY, and there was no apology.
As I have listened to the media address this problem, it seems that they have forgotten the burning of Holy Bibles. This is because the government and the media are both deceived and deceiving. That is right, you cannot trust either the government or the media. The only hope for truth is in the Bible. Better find a Bible preacher and Bible Church while you can.
This reminds me of the old church song that says, "I don't feel at home in this world anymore." It has always been this way for believers, to one extent or the other. If Christians were less focused on trying to make this world into heaven, and more focused on making heaven their home, we would see more of the power of love and less of the love of power.
USA, MOVING AWAY
The USA was never a Theocratic State and it was never fully Christian, therefore the USA was never perfect, but the USA was in a better position to receive the blessings of God's protection and provision.
This reminds me of the old church song that says, "I don't feel at home in this world anymore." It has always been this way for believers, to one extent or the other. If Christians were less focused on trying to make this world into heaven, and more focused on making heaven their home, we would see more of the power of love and less of the love of power.
USA, MOVING AWAY
The USA was never a Theocratic State and it was never fully Christian, therefore the USA was never perfect, but the USA was in a better position to receive the blessings of God's protection and provision.
The USA has been moving further from God in recent decades and it is shifting into a higher gear of rebellion now. The more the USA turns against God's authority, the more it will come under the judgment of God.
As long as the United States honored the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the Apostles and the Prophets of the New Testament, the more of God's power and provision the United States experienced.
FOUNDATION OF MORALITY AND CIVILITY
How strange, people say we should not base our laws on religious tenets. So where do they think, "Thou shalt not kill... steal... bear false witness," came from? We should not let Rome or any other man made religious group determine our laws, but we should accept the moral code of God as being authoritative. Of course, the further our society moves from the God of the Bible, the less respect it will have for the Bible, and the more God's people will be oppressed and persecuted for following the Bible.
PASSAGES...
2 Timothy 3:12-17
(12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
(13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
(14) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
(15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
(17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Titus 2:11-15
(11) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
(12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
(13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
(14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
(15) These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
AUTHORITY TO PROTECT AND PUNISH
God has given the Sword (authority) to the State, to punish the wicked and praise (and protect) the righteous. Remember, the Bible recognizes only Christians (those who believe the Bible, are born of the Spirit, and trust and follow Jesus) to be righteous. A "government" that does not praise (and protect) Christians and others who submit to the legitimate authority of the State is the enemy of God. This is not my opinion, this is the revealed word of God.
PASSAGES...
FOUNDATION OF MORALITY AND CIVILITY
How strange, people say we should not base our laws on religious tenets. So where do they think, "Thou shalt not kill... steal... bear false witness," came from? We should not let Rome or any other man made religious group determine our laws, but we should accept the moral code of God as being authoritative. Of course, the further our society moves from the God of the Bible, the less respect it will have for the Bible, and the more God's people will be oppressed and persecuted for following the Bible.
PASSAGES...
2 Timothy 3:12-17
(12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
(13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
(14) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
(15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
(17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Titus 2:11-15
(11) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
(12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
(13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
(14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
(15) These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
AUTHORITY TO PROTECT AND PUNISH
God has given the Sword (authority) to the State, to punish the wicked and praise (and protect) the righteous. Remember, the Bible recognizes only Christians (those who believe the Bible, are born of the Spirit, and trust and follow Jesus) to be righteous. A "government" that does not praise (and protect) Christians and others who submit to the legitimate authority of the State is the enemy of God. This is not my opinion, this is the revealed word of God.
PASSAGES...
God Has Given The State The Right To Punish The Wicked And Praise (And Protect) The Righteous.
Romans 13:1-4
(1) Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
(2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
(3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
(4) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
1 Peter 2:13-14
(13) Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
(14) Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
Christians Are The Righteous
Romans 5:17-21
(17) For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
(18) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
(19) For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
(20) Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
(21) That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Peter 3:12-17
(12) For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
(13) And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
(14) But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
(15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
(16) Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
(17) For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
THE NEED TO RECOVER BIBLICAL TRUTH
Contrary to popular religious perception, the Bible was never lost, but the Church did lose touch with the Bible during the rise and reign of the Roman religion. From the time of the Reformation, eternal truths have been rediscovered through Bible study and submission to the Holy Spirit, including subjects such as; Justification, Faith, Sanctification, Soteriology, Hamartiology, Revelation, Inspiration, Enlightenment, Christology, Theology, Pneumatology, Missiology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology. A missing part of most churches today is a Biblical understanding of God's View of Church/State Relations and the Divine Origin of Human Government's Authority and Limitations. This is playing a major part in the Western/Modern Church selling its Birthright and losing its Light.
It would be a good idea to read, understand and believe Romans 13. It would not be a good idea to let the average "Christian" preacher or teacher explain it to you, since they have no idea what it actually says, much less what it means. Romans 13 is not a blank check that gives political movements authority over the people. Romans 13 demands everyone to submit to God's rule. Those who do not, are anarchist, even if they hold the office of President.
A SHORT STUDY IN CHRUCH/STATE RELATIONS FROM ROMANS 13:1-4
Romans 13:1-4
(1) Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. (3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: (4) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Verse by Verse
(1) Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
DLG note... "Every soul" means EVERY PERSON, no exceptions.
Not only are the subjects of a nation subject to the laws of the land, the leaders of the nation are subject to the higher power as well (including kings, premiers, presidents). "Higher power" begins with the power of God, which is the fountain head of all authority and rules over the power (authority) of human rulers. God has commissioned human authority (government).
Remember, Jesus declared that He had the authority of God to forgive sins and to perform miracles. He also said clearly that He had all authority in heaven and earth. All human authority is derived from the eternal, heavenly authority of God. Therefore, everyone, rulers included, must submit to the higher powers.
(2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
DLG note... Again we are told that EVERYONE is subject to authority, because, all legitimate authority is Divine authority. God ordains authority (government), but He does not ordain illegitimate, godless laws. Those in authority are servants of God, appointed to do the work of God. When a ruler abuses his authority by installing and enforcing a law that is contrary to the will and nature of God, that ruler has resisted the authority of God and will be judged by God.Though God sometimes employes wicked men to accomplish His purpose (to either afflict the wicked or assist the righteous) it does not mean that wicked men or laws are the legitimate, God ordained governments.
When a human "government" is established on anti-Christian principles, such as an Islamic nation (which makes Christianity illegal), that so-called government is not legal before God. When a human ruler or leader adds anti-Christian laws to a legitimate constitution, such as abortion or the burning of the Bible, that ruler or leader has made himself the enemy of God. God requires submission to legitimate laws and civil order, He does not allow submission to the rule of anarchy. Christians citizens may suffer under rogue rulers, but they should never follow rogue rulers.
While Christians are REQUIRED to obey legitimate authority, just laws, even when the ruler himself is immoral, Christians are not ALLOWED to obey, submit to or support laws that are contrary to the will and nature of God. In cases like this, it is better to obey God, rather than men (Ac. 5:29).
(3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
DLG note... The fact that a ruler is not a terror to "good works," or to those who do good works, indicates that either the ruler or the laws he enforces are approved by God. Legitimate authority praises, protects, serves the person who does the will of God. God does not appoint or approve wicked rulers or rules, though He may use them as tools to judge the wicked, as in the Old Testament when God used the heathen to judge rebellious Israel.
(4) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
DLG note... The ruler and the rules of Divinely ordained governments are ministers of God to do His bidding. Legitimate, God ordained government forbids and punishes wickedness, either through the police or through the military. The police and military are State responsibilities, ordained of God to protect the law abiding and punish the evil. The police and the military are legitimate only when they protect the righteous and punish the wicked.
Evil people fear legitimate government. When the wicked control the "government" such as American politicians allowing organized crime, oppressive organizations and Islamic leaders, to control them, then the "government" is in anarchy against God. The abuse of authority is anarchy. Obedience to godless rule is anarchy. We cannot blame another person for our own actions. We are required to obey legitimate authority, we are not allowed to obey godless leadership.
God has given the power of the "sword" to the State, not to the Church. The "sword" represents the power to punish the wicked and protect the righteous. It is not complicated. The weapons of the Church are not carnal, fleshly, material, temporal, but our weapons are spiritual (2 Co. 10:3-4). The weapon of the State is the sword of steel, while the weapon of the Church is the sword of the Spirit (Ep. 6:17). A God approved government is one that physically and legally protects people who are doing good and punishes those who propagate evil (1 Pe. 2:13-15). Since this is God's decree then the standard of good and evil is determined by Divine revelation, not by human fiat or demonic intent.
To stand against duly authorized government is to stand against God. To stand with those who are rebellious to God, though they are "government" officials, is to stand against God.
Upward and Onward in Jesus,
Pastor David L. Gould
