A few days ago, while reading through my twitter feed, I was overcome with the displeasure of those I'm following with the US government. Equal disdain for both Republican and Democratic leaders and policies, debt and spending, healthcare, marriage, social security, abortion... just about everything you can imagine, was clearly stated and lines were drawn. And an underlying sentiment from many "twitterers" was the issue of separation of Church and state.
There SHOULD be separation of Church and state. Period. The Church should avoid political rambles, and the government should let the Church take care of itself. Remember when Jesus told his detractors to "Give to caesar what is caesar's and give to God what is God's" (Mark 12:17)? This makes it clear that God views the Church and the governing state to be two separate entities. He doesn't say "Give to caesar what is caesar's, and he will divide it amongst the government and the Church accordingly." Nope. Two different entities indeed.
And though many contend that our founding fathers agreed there would be separation of Church and state solely to keep the government from regulating the religion in our country and to allow for religious liberty, I would argue that it went both ways. Although the founding fathers DID want our nation to be one of religious liberty, where people were allowed to worship (or not) as they personally saw fit, they also didn't want the Church to control the government as it had in many countries in Europe, and as seems to be the case in many troubled regions of the world today.
So, what do Christians "do about this," in order to "fix" the problems goverment faces today -- you know, social programs that many have such problems with, such as healthcare, social security, taxes, national debt? Well, it's simple. We carry out the responsibilities of the Church.
Galatians 6:2 says, "Bear one another's burders, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Philippians 2:4 says, "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but to the interests of others." Deutoronomy 15:11 states, "For there will never cease ,to be poor in the land. Therefore, I command you 'you shall open your hand to your brother, the the needy and poor in your land." James 1:27 says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: Look after orphans and widows in their distress and keep yourself from being polluted by the world."
What does all of this mean? In context, these scriptures not only refer to caring for the spiritual and monetary needs of others, but the healthcare, physical, mental, and emotional needs of others as well. What's that you say? Christians are actually supposed to DO things for people? Which people?
That's an easy one, too. All of them. Scripture also tells us in Matthew 5:43-48,“You have heard that
it was said, ‘Love your neighborh and hate your enemy.’ But
I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons
of your Father in heaven. He causes
his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and
the unrighteous. If you love those
who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing
that? And if you greet
only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do
that? Be perfect,
therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
What I'm getting at is this: Christians need to stop complaining about the government, spending, healthcare, and all these other issues and DO WHAT WE'VE BEEN COMMANDED TO DO! If Christians would step up and care for the poor, provide for the sick, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and give hope to the hopeless, the government wouldn't have to act as a poor substitute! Think about that for a second... if the Church did their/our job, there would be NO NEED for these government programs! There would be less debt! Christians wouldn't have to worry about whether the government sponsored abortion or not! There would be fewer poor that needed monetary hand outs. There would be fewer hungry people needing food stamps. There would be fewer homeless needing government-funded housing! How much headache could Christians prevent the government from "causing" if we just carried out what has been commanded of us?! Wouldn't that be lovely!
Oh, but then we play the separation of Church and state card. You know, when it's beneficial to us. Because we don't really think *WE* are supposed to do these things. You know, we hear things like this, "Well, I think it's great that the Church wants to care for the poor, but I know who those people are. I personally won't be giving them any donations. They're just going to use it to buy drugs." But guess what, Church? If they do, it's on them! Luke 6:29-30 tell us, " If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back." That's right, Church! We're supposed to give it anyway! In a nutshell, my point is this: Christians, put up, or shut up. If we are not doing as commanded by the teachings of the Bible, (the one that many of us are so quick throw in the faces of our "pagan" enemies,) then we have no right to whine and bellyache about what the government does. Period. End of story.
So, Church, now that this has been put out there..... Our move.
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