One of the big issues in the United States that has been on going for many years is the separation of church and state. Only one related item will be explored here because it is of the utmost importance to all. In the previous lesson it was pointed out that Paul in Romans 13 wrote that those in positions of power were duty bound to follow God’s precepts since their power for government flows from Him. The natural extension of that power is the responsibility for practicing morals in their leadership. Thus, we have the moral equation as part of the separation of the church and state issue.

The scriptures teach us that citizens of every standing are to abstain from all appearance of evil. Paul wrote in I Thessalonians 5:21-22, Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. Those who are Christians are to follow the teachings in those verses. Is it not reasonable to expect that public office holders should also be of the same mind? How does one separate his or her personal moral beliefs when conducting governmental affairs given the teaching of scripture? To require that a Christian not allow godly teachings to interfere with government duty is to say that those who believe in God can’t hold public office or if they do, they would have to deny their beliefs. Yet, our whole system of government is founded on the morality of God.

Discrimination is shouted at those who hold to moral principles and some of the loudest shouters are public office holders. The shouters accuse Christians of being insensitive and intolerant of those who are different. What they really are saying is that Christians are pointing out that the behavior is sin but they refuse to use the word and tell the truth about the reason for their ranting. They accuse believers of judging and being judgmental, often time quoting the Bible showing how little they know about what it teaches about judging. (Lessons are planned for the Matthew 7 and companion chapters and verses.) It is ironic that those who know little about the Bible or don’t believe the teachings try to use it to destroy others.

Paul recorded in 1 Corinthians 5:11-13, But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. [12] For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? [13] But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. When one follows God’s teachings discrimination, intolerance, and insensitivity are the natural result. He says put away that wicked person from the group. Needless to say that to do so isn’t politically correct in this “enlightened” day and age since such teachings derive from God’s moral base.

Paul goes on to speak about the ungodly behavior that still infects the world today. He calls them "the fruitless deeds of darkness" in Eph 5:11 and goes on with the thought in verse 12; [11] And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. [12]  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. Reprove means to shame and shame is a word, along with sin, which isn’t used in our society anymore. Paul says it is a shame to speak of those ungodly behaviors and yet we hear all sorts of things on the TV, on the radio, and read about them in the various publications. All too often the government (politicians and judges) helps foster the very behaviors that God says are wrong because to speak of wrong and immorality is to violate the false doctrine of the separation of church and state.

If the officials in and out of government don’t follow God’s morals, whose morality will be followed? The answer is obvious as this nation founded on God and His principles slides into the shameful and immoral abyss of sin.

© 10-23-2005 DEC

                            Next Lesson  Why Live Ye?

 The entire Chapter of Ephesians 5 is follows. It has the truths that the enlightened of this day despise. Note the politically incorrect words used.  According to some those words are hate speech. 

 Eph 5:1  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

Eph 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.

Eph 5:3  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Eph 5:4  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

Eph 5:5  For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Eph 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Eph 5:7  Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

Eph 5:8  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Eph 5:9  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Eph 5:10  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Eph 5:11  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Eph 5:12  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

Eph 5:13  But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

Eph 5:14  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Eph 5:15  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Eph 5:16  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Eph 5:17  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Eph 5:18  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Eph 5:19  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Eph 5:20  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Eph 5:21  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Eph 5:22  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Eph 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Eph 5:24  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Eph 5:28  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

Eph 5:29  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

Eph 5:30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Eph 5:31  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Eph 5:32  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Eph 5:33  Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

 King James Version