God and Government - part 2

Last week, I shared about a historic day in the state of Kentucky as we became the 5th state to launch a State Legislative Prayer Caucus which calls on the entire Commonwealth to pray and seek God for the protection of our freedom to express our faith in God and for our government leaders to have wisdom as they carry out their God-given roles in our state and nation. It’s a huge affirmation to what we should know by now: if you make government completely void of God, you are headed for chaos, destruction, and a country void of the very blessings of God, the One who has been the foundation of this nation from its inception. Kentucky State Senate President Williams reminded us of something that we must remember: our constitution, including any amendments, does not contain the words “separation of church and state.” However, that does bring us to the other side of the coin. What if there was a complete marriage of God and government? What if they became one and the same? Would that be a good thing? There are times when I think YES, YES, YES! Perhaps pornography would be outlawed. Perhaps the rights of unborn people created by God will finally be protected, and we would see abortion abolished. And I could list many more. But just one day after the historic Kentucky Prayer Caucus launch, on January 11, 2012, there was another historic event that happened. The Supreme Court of the United States made a unanimous decision to declare that there is a ministerial exemption on churches and religious organizations that allows them to hire and fire in ways that other employers cannot: based on their beliefs. Chief Justice John Roberts refers to the First Amendment of the Constitution, saying, “The Establishment Clause prevents the Government from appointing ministers, and the Free Excercise Clause prevents it from interfering with the freedom of religious groups to select their own.” He continues explaining his view by saying, “The interest of society in the enforcement of employment discrimination statutes is undoubtedly important. But so, too, is the interest of religious groups in choosing who will preach their beliefs, teach their faith and carry out their mission.” What this ruling does is prevent government interference in a church’s calling or dismissal of a minister based on that person’s ability to carry out the teaching of that church’s beliefs or the failure to teach those or live out those very beliefs. It’s a huge ruling because otherwise, churches could be sued successfully for letting go an employee or minister who suddenly declares they believe abortion is okay or homosexuality is okay, even if that church teaches and preaches otherwise. Imagine a world where the government has its hands on the calling of ministers in your church? That is a scary world. When you think about it, government is a tricky concept when it comes to living a life ruled by God. That was once how it was for Israel. They were ruled by God, and God would raise up leaders in the form of judges and prophets. But the day came when they wanted to be like the other nations around them and have a king to rule them: an established government. Here was God’s response to that through the last judge of Israel who was Samuel: “But when they said, ‘Give us a king to lead us,’ this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. And the LORD told him: ‘Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.’ Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, ‘This is what the king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day,’ (1 Samuel 8:6-18, NIV). And as we look at the roller coaster history of Israel, we see that when there was a king that loved the Lord, that governmental period was blessed and prosperous. When it had a king that despised the Lord or turned away from Him, Israel became a mess. So where does that leave us? Friends, we must let our individual lives and families’ lives be governed by the awesome love and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! He is the answer! He is the source of abundant life (John 10:10). He is the giver of eternal life (John 3:16; Romans 6:23; 10:13)! And then as for our government, here is what we do: “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone– for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth,” (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-4, NIV). That is how we blend both God and government. We are blessed to be in this great nation called the United States of America. But I believe that we must fight hard to remember that those blessings come from one source: God Himself! My life depends on Him, not government! Our nation’s future prosperity and success depends on HIM, not government. So let’s turn to Him, live obedient lives, and pray for our leaders. Our nation’s present and future depends on it!