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.
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.
John 11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, You 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.
John 12:10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!