The Separation of Church and State. Part [7] 04/06/2024 (Evening thought)

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!

The Separation of Church and State. Part [6] 04/05/2024 (Morning thought)

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.

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.

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.

Daniel 8:25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

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