The Separation of Church and State. Part [5] 04/05/2024 (Evening thought)

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.

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.

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.

 Psalms 26:9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: 10 In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!

The Separation of Church and State. Part [4] 04/04/2024 (Morning thought)

Proverbs 8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. 13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

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.

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.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!