Luke 20:21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that You say and teach rightly, neither do You accept the person of any, but You teach the way of God truly.
22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?
23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, why tempt ye me?
24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.
25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.
26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marveled at his answer, and held their peace.
The separation of church and state in America is one of the pillars of our democracy and it should be kept this way, if we are to avoid following in the footsteps of Rome. The above passages teach us that we have obligations to duly ordained secular governments, which ought to be recognized by the Christian.
But there are also obligations to God, which must not be interfered with, even by Caesar, who is the serving appointee of God. Thus, Christ would show us that there are always to be distinct lines between church and state, in cases where there isn’t a God-ordained theocracy.
The Christian is instructed by God to render his civil or civic dues to duly appointed governments and for this reason, taxes are paid, the laws of the land are observed, and wherever Christians may be called to serve in government, they are to do so, holding the clear lines of distinction stipulated by Christ.
In other words, the Christian is to be a law-abiding citizen, while at the same time making certain that Caesar’s requirements to not intrude, or overstep in any way shape or form, the principles, and laws of God’s kingdom. And if for some reason there seems to be conflict between the two, the Christian must defer to God as being The Superior. Let’s read:
Romans 13:1 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 resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
5 Wherefore you must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience’s sake.
6 For this cause, you pay tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
America is a secular government, and even though God is mentioned in our constitution, we have not entered into any contract with God, as did the Jews anciently, at Mt Sinai, to keep His commandments, and His laws, and thus, there are to be clear lines between church and state, in order to preserve our democracy.
When the Christian begins to Cozy up to politicians, and when the church enlists civil power, to enforce what she deems to be right, then inevitably, persons who beg to differ would be viewed as enemies of the state, and wherever this perspective is held the next step will be the persecution of dissenters.
Sad to say, lying is a part of politics for the most part and it has almost become a requirement on your resume if you aspire to enter that field, and because of this unfortunate reality, Christians who get into bed with politicians will almost certainly be asked to do something that isn’t right, at some point in time or another, so as to curry favor with the politician in question.
Sooner or later, you will be asked to kiss the ring, or bow down in some form or fashion, meaning that it is just a matter of time before you will be facing the compromise of your faith, and if one isn’t anchored to the Rock Christ Jesus, the sheer force of political pressure can force persons to do what they know is wrong.
The reason why the separation of church and state is vital to a democracy, and also to the survival of the church is because the foundational principles guiding both are at opposite ends of the spectrum.
It is true that in a democracy, principles might bear sway to a certain limited extent, but whenever push comes to shove, principle would almost certainly be subjugated to policy.
For instance, states are governed mainly by worldly policy, while the Christian church is supposed to be guided by principles, and these two are not even distant relatives, for they are often found to be at odds, or even diametrically opposed to each other, in the overwhelming majority of instances.
The word “Policy” means: [a] prudence or wisdom in the management of affairs, [b] management or procedure based primarily on material interest.
That second definition needs additional scrutiny for when you have management or procedures that are based solely on material interest, it’s inevitable that the principles and laws of God’s kingdom would be violated, some more, some less.
The Bible teaches us, that if we are at a crossroads, where we may have to suffer material loss, in order to maintain godly principle, then we should take the hit in the temporal realm in order to stay on course.
But with policy, the material benefits are the main drivers behind what most politicians will say or do, and because of this, some are in a permanent state of flux, and in an alarmingly fluid state, blowing in the wind in any direction that policy may tug them.
For instance, in the Scriptures, we are told of Felix, who had a decision to make concerning Paul, who had been incarcerated for preaching the gospel. Like so many in our day, Felix knew what was the right thing to do, but because policy is guided by material benefit, he was driven to violate principle.
In other words, Paul could be exonerated in one of two ways: one, by a close examination of the facts, or he could walk out of jail a free man, if he were to grease the politician’s hand. That is why we stated before that policy would subjugate one’s principle if the politicians, or the Christians in question are not anchored in Christ. Let’s read:
Acts 24: 24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 As he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come Felix trembled and answered go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul that he might free him, wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
And so it was, that Paul was not going to shell out any greenbacks, to buy his way out of jail, because he is being governed by principle, but Felix who is driven by policy, and material benefit, will do what he could to wound Paul, for not going along with the bribe.
If and when Christians cozy up to politicians, they’ll in most cases be enticed to violate principle in some form, or fashion, sooner or later, hence the reason why the separation of church and state is a must in order for the Christian church to remain free from the influences of secular governments.
The secular governments that shore up support for the church’s agenda, with funding and enforcement of the church’s proposals, and programs, inevitably will want something in return for the favors that are thus shown. And thus, the church will feel obligated to go hand in hand with the state.
And if the church demurs, there’ll be consequences in most cases, for it was supposed to be a mutual agreement and understanding between church and state, where they scratched each other’s backs as it were. Let’s read:
Acts 24:27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
In the kingdom of policy, the ends justify the means, and therefore, if in a given situation, one is required to tell lies, so as to benefit himself materially, God’s law against lying would go out of the window, in an instant.
Persons who are governed solely by policy would in a heartbeat, sacrifice principle and conscience so as to favor the state. This doesn’t mean that policy is all bad, it isn’t, for there are also good policies that may incorporate some of the principles and laws of God’s kingdom.
The problem is that whenever there may be conflict between the two, policy is favored by governments over principle, and for this reason, the laws of God’s kingdom are held subjectively to policy, a method of governing that will never jive with God’s kingdom.
The concept of governing solely by policy was made plain as encapsulated in the words of the high priest in Christ’s day, when he said that it is expedient that Jesus should die, rather than that the whole nation should perish.
This means that if an innocent person must be put to death, in order to maintain national status, then it is a no brainer as to what course of action will be pursued. This is what is meant when we say that in most cases, when things come to a head, principle will be subjugated by policy, if the government in question is governed primarily by policy.
It is of critical importance for us to follow their line of reasoning, for it is guided strictly by policy, in the interest of material, or temporal benefit. Whenever policy subjugates principle, even for what may seem as a spiritually good reason, persecution, and the violation of God’s law are never far away. Let’s read:
John 11: 47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, what do we? for this man does many miracles.
48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
This model of governing, where secular government is in bed with the church was introduced, developed and set in motion by the Roman Constantine, who, in order to get his agenda through, had sought the support of the church and vice versa.
Constantine even went so far as to nominally accept Christianity, and this fusion of the church, and state produced the hybrid now seen in the Vatican. Pagan influencers sought to establish more firmly, the day of the sun, but they lacked the power to enforce it. So, they turned to the secular government for help and the papacy was born. Let’s read:
[The Great Controversy pp 679] Constantine's Sunday law, issued A.D. 321, was as follows:
“Let all the judges and town people, and the occupation of all trades rest on the venerable day of the sun. But let those who are situated in the country, freely and at full liberty attend to the business of agriculture; Because it often happens that no other day is so fit for sowing corn and planting vines; lest, the critical moment being let slip, men should lose the commodities granted by heaven.”
Thus, whenever the state needed the influence of the church it stood ready to do its bidding and when the Christian church needed the secular powers of government, it supplied the needed enforcement. Thus, a very close symbioses was formed, between church and state, and as history teaches, wherever such a merger takes place, trouble isn’t far behind.
Christians in our day must be very wary of this type of hybrid, for there are troubling signs in America today which threaten the separation of church and state.
For instance, politicians are often invited to speak to congregants from the pulpits and church leaders are often to be found at the podium of some politician who advances their agenda. The problem lies not so much in their association, as in the tendency for the church to compromise with the state and vice versa.
Thus, as church and state continue to walk hand in glove, it would just be a matter of time before there will be a memorandum of mutual agreement where the two entities will merge, and according to what is written in the Bible, the mark of the beast, with the national enforcement of Sunday worship will be on its way.
When Jezebel and Ahab ruled in Israel, they tried to force their brand of religion upon the people as they merged statecraft with church craft, and the results are before us. In that episode, those who refused to acquiesce were hunted down, and others were put to death, as they were viewed as being enemies of the state. Let’s read:
1st Kings 18:4 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.
17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, are you he that troubles Israel?
18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.
1st Kings 19:2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, so let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.
3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
Again, when Nebuchadnezzar tried to blend politics and religion the inevitable result was made manifest as the perceived dissenters were apprehended, and thrown into the fiery furnace. The problem at that time was twofold, in that the use of state force was engaged to compel the conscience into bowing to his brand of religion.
This is exactly what the Bible warns us of in our day, for although, on the surface, some politicians, and the clergy may seem to have the best of intentions, the issue of enforcing their brand of righteousness is where the problem lies, for when closely scrutinized contemporary Christianity is now found to be very far removed from the gold standard found in the Bible.
Not only have the commandments been made null and void by the teaching which declares they were nailed to the cross, but very much of what Christ and His prophets instructed us to do, has now been turned inside out and upside down.
The issues go much further than the differences in the day of worship. Things like diets and foods, and entertainment, decorum, outward adornment, and marriage, have all been either tampered with, or modified to suit the clamors of the popular majority.
And the cheerleaders in the secular government, as well as the clergy are providing the hybrids that the masses are rooting for. In fact, if Jesus were to enter many of the places of worship today, He would no doubt be moved to drive out the buyers and sellers as He once did in days of old. Let’s read:
Matthew 21: 12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
13 And said unto them, it is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
And just as it was in the days of Christ there are now a plethora of buyers, and sellers that have taken up residence in the Christian church. And though they may not be physically thrown out as when Christ did they must be identified for what they are.
There is no Scriptural support for the confessional or for penances; there is no Biblical support for the doctrine of the natural immortality of the soul, and there is nowhere to be found in the Bible, support for the doctrines of the secret rapture, purgatory, or the millennium, where one thousand years of peace will facilitate the conversion of the world.
In addition to these tenets, which have become very popular in contemporary Christianity, there isn’t any support for Sunday sacredness even though it’s now embraced by the majority of Christians.
Those brands of doctrine are nowhere to be found in the Scriptures and therefore if the church and the state were to unite to enforce that brand, it will put every true worshipper at odds with the state, and as in the days of old, all dissenters will find themselves on the receiving end of the state’s wrath. Let’s read:
Revelation 13: 15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
16 And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
The above passage refers to enforcement by state of the church’s dogmas, and it fits the mold which was peddled by Constantine. In other words, the church clamors for religious or moral mandates based upon the sad state of affairs in our society and the secular government steps in to supply the legislative power to do so.
And, the diabolical merger between the church and state has already begun, in what some may consider to be small things. Yes, we are in dire need of God, and yes, the 10 commandments could go a long way in restoring law and order, but to force it upon folks who may be of different persuasions, is where the trouble lies.
We must be very wary of the popular Christianity of today which more and more tends to merge politics with religion. Some may not see where this will lead but the Bible puts folks on notice that contemporary Christianity, for the most part is neither endorsed or recognized by God.
The remnant people of God are tasked with letting the people know of the everlasting gospel, as stated in Revelation 14, for there are sincere persons who do not know better but we must avoid being swayed or influenced, by the blending of church and state.
Let us then as Christians try to keep the clear lines of distinction intact, by rendering unto Caesar that which is his and unto God, the things that are God’s. Let there not be morality police as there are in some middle eastern countries, and let not the use of any force be employed against persons with whom we may not agree spiritually.
The genius of Christianity is that while seeking the conversion of every person, it allows for divergent views in those who are not persuaded, respecting their God-given freedom of choice, to do good or evil with consequences, so that persons of different creeds should be able to live side by side on the same street.
This is the freedom afforded us by the separation of church and state, and all should try to preserve the distinct lines, lest we fall into the unfortunate state of affairs, which took place during the dark ages.
We therefore end with a passage of Scripture that should help us to keep clear of the blending of the church with the state, for this often produces back- biting, infighting, finger pointing, and inevitably, the persecution of those with whom persons disagree. Let’s read:
John 18: 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
God Bless!