How well stated by Ronald Reagan!Why is it that we’d like to think there is “someone” out there who can save us from all our problems.Even as Christians, often, we like to think in such terms.But is this the Christian idea of man and government?
In God’s Design for Government—A Unique Purpose, we learned the thoughts of Thomas Paine in Common Sense, that “government even in its best state is but a necessary evil…”I enjoyed C.S. Lewis’ comments in Mere Christianity that "The State exists simply to promote and to protect the ordinary happiness of human beings in this life.A husband and wife chatting over a fire, a couple of friends having a game of darts in a pub, a man reading a book in his own room or digging in his own garden-that is what the State is there for.”1 Peter 2:13-14 clearly reveals God’s purpose for government."Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by Him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right."
Let’s now consider the state that claims to exist to promote the welfare of its citizens.Is this within God’s design for government?
Quoting again the wisdom of C.S. Lewis; “Of all the tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely expressed for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent ideological busybodies.”
What are the Biblical principles for welfare and is this in conflict with our social programs?
The Bible doesn’t specifically enumerate welfare—the provision for others—as a governmental purpose.As stated, the enumerated functions of government according to 1 Peter 2:13-14 are (1) the punishment of evildoers” and (2) “the praise of those who do right.”
Jesus revealed that we would always have the poor with us; which defies any utopia that all poverty can be averted.It is only the individual or family that can rise above poverty.In helping the individual to rise above poverty, Jesus clearly taught that we are to give to the poor.However, this wasn’t enumerated as a governmental purpose.If not governmental, it falls to none other than the individual giver and the church.
Consider this verse—1 Corinthians 3:7-8—“So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”
Tracing history, this wisdom is clear.The individual and the church have traditionally sought to raise the impovished out of their poverty and into self-reliance (according to their own labor).This is contrary to our state-sponsored welfare, which has proven to keep generations of families deep in poverty and dependent on the state.
No—government isn’t the solution.It is the problem.There is someone, however, who can save us from all our problems and raise us out of our hardships; whether economic, emotional, or physical (one who gives the increase of our labor).He is omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all knowing), and omnipresent (all present).He lovingly pulls us out of our poverty into abundant life as we follow His Biblical principles.He is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he?Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he?Luke 11:11-12
Christ tells us, “And I say to you, ask and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened.Luke 11:9
Recently on Fox News, Mike Huckabee shared his thoughts on the "Stimulus Plan". Also known as the "Congressional Relief Action Program". I happen to be in complete agreement. Click the link above and take a listen. Gotta love it.
Where should our passions lie in this mixed up world of good and evil? We do tire at times of fighting and hating evil. Wouldn't it be nice to simply accept things as they are and strike a compromise between that which is bad and worse; preferring the bad over the worse, and live our life? On the other hand, we are to be content in our circumstances seeking godly contentment. How can all this be reconciled? I do appreciate G.K. Chesterton's thoughts.
"For our titanic purposes of faith and revolution, what we need is not the old acceptance of the world as a compromise, but some way in which we can heartily hate and heartily love it. We do not want joy and anger to neutralize each other and produce a surly contentment; we want a fiercer delight and fiercer discontent. We have to feel the universe at once as an ogre's castle, to be stormed, and yet as our own cottage, to which we can return at evening."
"It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood."
-James Madison; Federalist Paper #62
Some of you remember Ron Paul, a Republican United States Congressman, physician, author, and two-time presidential candidate, who once proposed a new rule in Congress; that all lawmakers be required to sign a statment that they have read all proposed law, understand it, and know a way to finance it. Is it any surprise that this was rejected by Congress.
"The smiling little cottage, where at eve a good man meets his rosy children at the door, prattling their welcomes, and his honest wife: such is the heart, the soul, the very essence, of parish life: the hearth, the home, domesticity."
"Discernment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong; rather it is telling the difference between right and almost right."
He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in still another village, where he worked in a carpenter shop until he was thirty. Then for three years he was an itinerant preacher.
He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family or owned a house. He didn't go to college. He never traveled 200 miles from the place where he was born. He did none of these things one usually associates with greatness. He had no credentials but himself.
He was only 33 when public opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. He was turned over to his enemies and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves.
When he was dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing, the only property he had on earth. When he was dead, he was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.
Nineteen centuries have come and gone, and today he is the central figure of the human race, the leader of mankind's progress.
All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man on earth as much as that One Solitary Life.
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Ahhh, now I am beginning to understand all this fuss in taking "Christ" out of Christmas...to simply be just "Happy Holidays". But you can never purge Christ from Christmas nor from our lives. Seek the answers in history of the many who have tried. The very holiday is in honor of his birth and will forever be.
"For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:1
Merry Christmas to all...
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(“One Solitary Life” is a story, evidently first told by Dr. James Allen Francis. Dr. Francis included it as the last sermon in his book, The Real Jesus And Other Sermons published by Judson Press in 1926.)
I happen to be budgeting right now. Lord, help me stay financially green and really remember what this season is all about.
The Christ child came that we might be liberated; freeing us from the debt of sin. How ironic that at this time we often become significantly finanacilly indebted--becoming slave to the lender.
This movie is a DVD that is out now and can be purchased via Amazon, probably at your local Bible book store or at least can be ordered. It is worth the wait, worth to own, & fine to watch after Christmas. It's simply a story where Hollywood didn't get in the way. If you've heard the song "Christmas Shoes"; this story was written first in book format from that song.
I can't recommend it more!
Caveat: My younger son just reminded me of one minor language scene. It was minor enough that I forgot about it. But, if there is to be minor language, that was the scene where you might expect it to occur.
Isaiah 40:31 is my sustaining verse. "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Each day He provides me with a brand new day to accomplish His will. I am truly grateful for his tender care. Thanks for stopping by....karen brummett
My BlogSport
My desire in putting this BlogSpot together is to share my study through The Principle Approach that I
had originally put together for some dear friends. If you are brand new to the Principle Approach, please consider
going through the "The Principle Approach: A Summary" located below. Then you may wish to consider going through a
study put out through the "Foundation for American Christian Education" entitled "Self-Directed Study." You can
follow that study through "The Principle Approach: Self-Directed Study" under "Categories". I hope this may add to your study as you renew your
mind in Christ.
