Church and State

The following are some recent thoughts I had on the issue of separation of church and state that I wrote in a blog exchange with a friend. You have to understand that I am not highly political...and I usually try to avoid the topic at all cost. But with all that is going on in our culture and nation right now...I think we as Christians have to speak our mind about what is TRUTH!

I don't think we can completely separate our beliefs from governing in any capacity. As we know from scripture no authority is given unless the Lord permits it. This nation was founded by men that believed in God, feared God, and desired for the Gospel to effect everything including government and education. The New England Primer was used to teach children how to read and write while unfolding the gospel story. Separation of church is state was for the primary reason of preventing abuse...ie: the government telling us how, when, and where, and what we could worship.

1) The separation, as we understand it today, didn't even come up until about 1820 or 1830 in a letter from Thomas Jefferson.

2) The original intent was mainly to prevent the government from controlling (imposing) religion, not to keep the church from influencing government.

3) The proof that this is so is that most of the Founders violated what we now considered "the separation between church & state" on a practically weekly basis. They were always referring to God and the Bible, and putting their Christian convictions into practice.

4) The Constitution/Bill of Rights technically only limits "Congress" from imposing a federal established religion, and it left the states free to impose their own established state religions (and many early states had Christianity written into their own Constitutions).

As far as applying Christianity to the federal government, I don't know if very many Christians suggest a theocracy. Churches have a bad record of running governments, because they become worldly authorities with the power of "the Bible" behind them (even when they don't follow "the Bible").

More likely to be practical AND Biblical is something more like what we had when the Founders ran things. You're a Christian, and you look to the Bible for guidance in making and implementing laws.

We've gotten a LONG ways from this now, and it would be hard to get back there without some serious reform. Even Christians in government today don't act like Christians for the most part, and turn to worldly rules (i.e. using Man's Law rather than God's Law) to guide how they rule on a daily basis, mostly only bringing God or the Bible out in speeches and at election time.

The current interpretation of "separation of church & state" has to be broken down before any positive progress can be made. That probably won't happen unless Christians really make their presence known in politics, instead of expecting nominally Christian representatives to carry our water for us.

Apathy and "partyism" is a bad habit the Body of Christ has gotten into. Let's not be afraid to tell our parties where they should go, what they should do, and if they don't do what we want, we've got to have the will to leave them and not support them.

If we separate our nations government from the very foundations it was founded upon then we cease to be that nation!

Our rights are only as secure as the authority by which they're granted.

I have a "right to life" because God said "thou shalt not murder", NOT because some government said I could live.

I have a "right to personal property" because God said "thou shalt not steal", NOT because some government said it was OK for me to own something.

I have a right to "freedom of religion" because God said "thou shalt have no other gods before me", NOT because some government approved my beliefs.

And on and on...

Our "Bill of Rights" merely recognizes those rights that have their origin in God and by His authority. The Constitution simply lists our rights -- it does NOT grant them.

If man can grant rights, man can take them away. If God grants our rights, only God can take them away.

When people forget God, they forget the origin of their rights. They begin to look to the state as the grantor and keeper of their rights. When the state perceives this, it is quick to take hold of this power that the people have ceded to it. The state then often becomes one of the most hideous monsters known to mankind. People must not forget God or the fact that their rights come from Him. Government is simply God's tool for protecting and enforcing those rights -- it does not grant them.

Alexis de Tocqueville in the nineteenth century said this after visiting America:

"I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers and it was not there; in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there; in her rich mines and her vast commerce and it was not there; in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great."

That goodness comes from God and living out the principles he has for us in His Word.

LIFE AS USUAL!

So after a week in Mexico...I'm back in the states. I'm back to life as usual. I'm not sure I like that. Don't get me wrong I was so glad to be home with my family. I'm so glad to be back in the office this beautiful Monday at the amazing church that God has called me to serve at. I am not however glad to be back to life as usual. Let me explain...

When you go on a foreign missions trip of any kind you get a first hand glimpse of the poverty and desperate needs that most of the world lives in. In Nuevo Laredo, Mexico the average worker earns 5-7 american dollars a week. At the exchange rate of 12.80 pesos per dollar thats 89.60 pesos a week. A gallon of milk was 4 pesos. Do the math and you will see that these people live in extreme poverty.

They don't have a government assistance program. The only help they get are through missions organizations like the one we went down with. These organizations plan medical missions trips to help with health needs. They pass out bags of beans and rice on a regular basis to help families survive. They open feeding centers where kids, families, and widows can get at least one hot meal a day.

When you are over there, and you are surrounded by such need, you get what I like to call PERSPECTIVE! Life really is about more than me and my wants, needs, desires. $7 dollars a week? Really? We spend that on a latte. We spend double that on a movie ticket. That is what these people live off of.

So being there you start to count your blessings. You start to see how truly good you have it. You don't for a second even think about complaining. You are focused on one thing...being the hands and feet of JESUS...bringing HOPE to a dark place. Your mind is completely off yourself.

Then I came home...

It did not take long as I heard of two men fighting at the Delta check in...they were fighting because there was limited standby seating for the plane we were getting on and apparently both of them got there first.

Then we are on the plane and the man next to me says there is a guy on the Ravenell Bridge in Charleston that says he has a bomb and he is going to kill himself...that all the traffic is being routed off the bridge. Then the man said something that sent chills down my spine..."if he is going to kill himself why does he need to tie up the bridge to do it...just kill yourself and get it over with." Then reading the newswire and the facebook posts about the event and seeing similar comments...I got really discouraged. Is this the state of our nation? Is this the American way of life, that we care more about being delayed and sitting in traffic than we do for this man? That man...crazy as he may be...was created by God in the image of God. That man was reaching out for help...granted in a weird and dangerous way...but if that was your loved one would you be so calloused?

Then I got home and had to pay the bills because it's the first of the month...when I got done paying everything...I was disgusted. I went around complaining about how it's always something that comes up, and how raising six kids and providing all that they need is tough. I complained about the house that needs a ton of repairs that I don't have the money for. I complained about the fact that I have little or no savings and don't even ask me about retirement plans...I complained and complained and ...I AM NOT HAPPY TO BE BACK TO LIFE AS USUAL!

Oh how quickly I forgot...how blessed I was. Oh how quickly I forgot my brothers and sisters in Mexico who struggle to survive while I have more than enough. Then on Sunday I found out one of the mothers we ministered to that had a little 3 month old baby in her lap in the front row on Wednesday night was grieving the loss of that baby Friday morning as the child died from a brain aneurism. Something that could have been prevented with the proper treatment I'm sure...treatment she could never have afforded. Suddenly the high cost of caring for six kids and my wife and I doesn't seem so daunting anymore.

GOD FORGIVE ME! GOD HAVE MERCY ON ME! I DON'T WANT TO LIVE LIFE AS USUAL!

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’

Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

(Matthew 25:31-46 ESV)

ARE YOU READY?

10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Daniel 6:10 ESV

Daniel stood alone. Although he knew about the law against praying to anyone except the king, he continued to pray three times a day as he always had. Daniel had a disciplined life that was fully devoted to God. Let's face it our life and our prayers are not usually interrupted by threats, but simply by the pressure of our schedules. We have to be radical about not letting threats or pressures cut into our life and devotion to God . We must Pray regularly, no matter what. Worship regularly, no matter what. Serve regularly, no matter what.

It was during his first visit to Britain that Dwight Moody heard the words which set him hungering and thirsting for deeper Christian experience. Words that would mark a new era in his life. The words were spoken to him by Mr. Henry Varley, the well known evangelist, as they sat together on a seat in a public park in Dublin. The words were these: "The world has yet to see what God will do with, and for, and through, and in, and by, the man who is fully consecrated to Him." "He said 'a man'" thought Moody, "he did not say, a great man, nor a learned man, nor a 'smart' man, but simply 'a man.' I am a man, and it lies with the man himself whether he will or will not make that entire and full consecration. I will try my utmost to be that man."

What about us...are we ready to be that person fully devoted to Him?

TURN!

6 "Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near; ISAIAH 55:6 (ESV)

Isaiah tells us to call on the Lord while he is near.

God is not planning to move away from us, but we often DRIFT far from him or place BARRIERS between ourselves and him. Don't wait until you have drifted far away from God to seek him.

The scripture is clear that we have a decision to make everyday...we can chose to live for ourselves, or we can "chose this day to serve the Lord".

I know I have several times in my walk with God felt like God was a million miles away. Looking back at every one of those times I now see that the opposite was true. In those moments when God felt distant I was the one drifting and God stayed "closer than a brother".

A wise friend once told me you can take a million steps away from God but it only takes one step to get back to Him...Turn around!

DO GOOD!

[27] Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. [28] Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.

(Proverbs 3:27-28 ESV)
Delaying to do good is inconsiderate and unfair, whether it is repaying a loan, returning a tool, or fulfilling a promise. Withholding destroys trust and creates a great inconvenience.

Be as eager to do good as you are to have good done to you.

This weekend is group link where we all are encouraged to plug into community life through small groups. We have to remember however that we are called to constant community.

We are the light of the world and we have to active in doing good to others.

We have to be committed to doing good to our neighbors, co-workers, family and friends be sharing our time, testimony, and treasure as we live the mission of

Connect, Grow, Serve.

Never get's old

I have been doing youth ministry now for a little over 12 years now and since the average term of a youth pastor is 6 months I guess you could say I am a veteran...haha. In all these years I have experienced the good and bad that comes with ministry in general and in ministry to youth. There are a lot of ups and downs in dealing with people in general, sometimes it can be incredibly rewarding and other times it can rip your heart out. One thing however never gets old and that is seeing youth surrender to the Lordship of Christ and grow in their relationship with Him. This last Sunday night we had the band "With lifted hands" all the way from Kansas; (well except for Paulthe lead singer who is from Southern California; that's for you Paul...haha.) First let me say that if you are a youth pastor or in ministry period you would do well to have "With lifted hands" come to your church or event. They have a heart for ministry and are more concerned with God's glory than their own, which in today's time is a welcome sight. Anyways back to the point...I rarely get to sit back and watch as a spectator my kids respond to the call to follow Christ and it for me was a beautiful sight. I absolutely love watching God move in the heart of a young person and seeing them sell out completely and surrender to Him. I tell you what if you are in ministry I am well aware that there can be dry times when you feel like giving up. I know there are times when it seems like everything you do, all your energy and all the prayers all the study comes to nothing. My advice to you is not to give up. Gos did not give up on us but gave us Christ and the glory of our salvation. When we were all but lost, He found us and brought us home. Make no mistake God wants to move in the hearts of your people and just when you think it's not going to happen, He blows your mind. Wait and watch and pray because seeing your young people respond to a God who loves them and cares for them...well that NEVER GETS OLD!

Wow!

All I can say is wow! I just read some comments a high school friend of my wife's and his friends made on facebook, and I am shocked! This guy is always posing questions in his poll of the day for people, to as far as I can tell argue over. I know awesome stuff right!

Today was a doozie of a question. Here it is..."Can the seeker sensitive church movement be reconciled with scripture?" In other words, are churches that seek to be sensitive in their approach to outsiders going against scripture?

The responses floored me...overwhelmingly the people who commented were not just opposed to seeker sensitive methodology, but it seemed opposed to anyone that was not like them.

I went on to read comment after comment that said everything from , the church is for believers only, not outsiders. The people who try to be sensitive to seekers are not Christians. My personal favorite was any church that follows a seeker model is just entertaining sinners on their way to hell.

Wow! All I could say is wow! Now I know why Jesus prayed so hard and prayed the prayer He did before His death. Jesus prayed for us to be one just as He and the Father were one. Jesus prayed for our unity.

The crazy thing is I agreed with some of what they were saying. I believe that the Word of God should be preached and not watered down, I believe that no method or practice will ever bring anyone to Christ. I believe that no comes to salvation unless the Spirit of God draws them. All these things are true but I also believe that Jesus died and shed His blood so that we could be free. I believe that we are all sinners in need of Gods grace on a daily basis and I am shocked that some believe they don't. Even to talk about the seeker church is entertaining sinners... Did I miss something because I thought Romans 3:23 said that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. I hope I never arrive at some spiritual high were I see myself so different from those apart from Christ that I have nothing to do with them and build walls to keep them out.

If it were not for God's grace and unmerited favor I would still be the sinner on my way to hell. Thanks be to God that He loved me enough to bring people into my life that shared Christ with me.

As shocked and disappointed as I was to read all these comments, that to me sounded like modern day pharisees, keeping the law but missing the point. I went from being disappointed to moved with compassion for these people. I know I don't know everything there is to know about God, and I am not foolish enough to believe that I have it all right. One thing I do know, however, is that God called us to love each other. Jesus said the world would know us by the love we have one for another. My prayer tonight and I hope your prayer too if your reading this is that the church of Jesus Christ will stop finding ways to divide itself and keep people out and that we would be united in our love for Christ, our love for each other, and our love for the lost.

Jesus paid a high price for His body of believers... namely His broken body and shed blood. May we honor that sacrifice by living for Him and loving like Him.